Armed police opened fire on a car that drove into the Ukrainian ambassador's official vehicle in London on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred outside the Ukrainian embassy in Holland Park, Kensington.

A spokesman for the Ukrainian embassy, said an unknown vehicle had crashed into the car used for official duties by Natalia Galibarenko, the Ukrainian Ambassador, this morning and the man inside posed a threat that required British police to fire an unknown number of shots at the car.

The spokesman said that contrary to some reports in the media no shots were fired from the car.

It is not known if the man in the car was wounded, but he was eventually removed from the vehicle and detained by police.

The spokesman knew of no motive and did not know the nationality or any biographical details of the arrested man. He said the embassy had not been threatened in recent weeks. All members of the embassy were reported as safe.

A press statement from the embassy said the Ambassador's car had been "deliberately rammed as it sat parked in front of the Embassy of Ukraine's building.

"The police were called immediately and the suspect's vehicle was blocked up.

"Nevertheless, despite the police actions the attacker hit the Ambassador's car again. In response the police were forced to open fire on the perpetrator's vehicle.

"The culprit was apprehended and taken to a police station."

Source: The Telegraph

BDST: 2109 HRS, APR 13, 2019
SI