Live: Russian ambassador shot dead in Turkey

Summary

Russian ambassador to Turkey, Andrei Karlov, has been killed in a gun attack in Ankara
He was shot while visiting a photo exhibition
The gunman was heard shouting 'Don't forget about Aleppo!'
He has been identified as a police officer
It is unclear if he acted alone or had links to any group

Live Reporting

Yaroslav Lukov and Alastair Lawson

Aleppo connection to shootingpublished at 17:48 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016
The gunman - whose identity is not known - was heard shouting: "Don't forget about Aleppo, don't forget about Syria!"
Russia - a key ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad - has been accused of killing civilians during air strikes on the Syrian city of Aleppo, which is now controlled by Syrian government troops.
Protest rallies have been held near Russian embassies in a number of countries around the world.
Russia has repeatedly denied the allegation, saying it is targeting radical Islamists.
Pictures from the scenepublished at 17:38 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016
Image source, AP
Image caption,
Children were evacuated from the area in the aftermath of the killing
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Turkish security forces speedily secured the area near the gallery
Image source, AP
Image caption,
People desperately sought cover inb the immediate aftermath of the shooting
'Terrorism will not pass!' - Russian statementpublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016
More from the Russian foreign ministry.
Its spokeswoman Maria Zakharova says: "Terrorism will not pass! We will fight it resolutely. Memory of this outstanding Russian diplomat, a man who did so much to counter terrorism in his diplomatic line of work, Andrei Gennadyevich Karlov, will remain in our hearts forever."
Turkish special forces surround buildingpublished at 17:33 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016
Hurriyet newspaper says Turkish special forces have surrounded the building.
Meanwhile, a witness has told Reuters that while gunfire resounded for some time after the attack, it has now stopped.
Attack intended 'to ruin Turkey-Russia relations'published at 17:29 Greenwich Mean Time 19 December 2016
The mayor of Ankara, Melih Gokcek, says the attack is directed at ruining Turkey-Russia relations.
Ambassador killed - Russian officialspublished at 17:27
Breaking
Ambassador Karlov has been killed in the shooting, Russian officials say
A chequered relationshippublished at 17:25
Turkey and Russia have had a a chequered relationship in recent months. Relations have been improving since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane on Syria's border in November 2015.
The two countries agreed a gas deal in August in which Presidents Erdogan and Putin agreed to patch up their damaging quarrel, pledging to restore close economic relations. But even at the time it was described by the BBC's Sarah Rainsofrd as "an alliance of misfits".
In October the two countries agreed closer military relations.
Smartly dressed gunmanpublished at 17:25
Footage from inside the building showed a smartly dressed gunman, wearing a suit and tie, waving a pistol and shouting.
He can be heard yelling "Don't forget about Aleppo, don't forget about Syria" and uses the Islamic phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is great").
Reports suggest the gunman was later killed by police.
Image source, AP
Shot at speaking engagementpublished at 17:20
Ambassador Andrei Karlov was shot as he was speaking at the exhibition called "Russia as seen by Turks".
Image source, AP
Location of attackpublished at 17:16
Welcome to our live coverage of the shooting of Russia's ambassador in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
The attack happened at a major art exhibition hall in the Cankaya district where most foreign embassies are based, including Russia's mission, AFP reports.