Man detained after attempted break-in at Russian consulate in New York

An unidentified man has been detained following an attempt to enter the Russian Consulate General in New York, Russian officials have said.

According to the mission, the individual climbed onto the second-floor balcony but was unable to break the shutters. He did, however, damage a New Year’s garland and tried, unsuccessfully, to remove the Russian flag from the flagpole, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

U.S. law enforcement officers, who arrived within 15 minutes of a call from the consulate, are investigating the incident and verifying the man’s identity.

Russian diplomats described the event as part of a pattern of “provocative actions” against the mission in New York.

By Vugar Khalilov