US attacked fleeing Russian convoy, says ambassador

RUSSIA’S ambassador to Baghdad last night claimed US forces attacked his convoy as it fled Iraq, despite diplomatic licence plates and his country’s flag being clearly visible on a car.

“Thank God that we have reached Syria,” ambassador Vladimir Titorenko said from the capital, Damascus.

The Russian convoy came under fire on Sunday as it was driving through Iraq bound for Syria. At least four people were wounded. Mr Titorenko’s arm was slightly wounded.

It was unclear whether US or Iraqi forces were responsible for the attack, but Titorenko and other Russian diplomats said they were certain they were American bullets.

“About 25 miles from Baghdad, there were American armoured vehicles, tanks and artillery. We stopped away from them and, despite the

Russian flag on the car, they opened fire on us and I suffered minor injuries while a colleague was seriously wounded and is still in Iraq,” Titorenko said.

A senior US diplomat said Russia was assured no harm was intended but the US did not accept responsibility.

“It’s still not clear how yesterday’s (Sunday’s) incident unfolded, but it does appear that the Russian convoy came into an area where we were engaged in a firefight with Iraqi forces,” the diplomat said.

Yesterday, Condoleezza Rice told Russian President Vladimir Putin that if US troops were responsible for a gun attack, no harm was intended.

Ms Rice described her meeting in Moscow with Putin and Russian ministers as “very good”.

Russia is opposed to the war but in recent days Mr Putin has attempted to improve relations with the US.