Shortly after the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Albanian Honorary Consulate in Kharkiv was destroyed by Russian bombings. This was the first attack on a diplomatic mission in Ukraine. Two years after the incident, Albania is pursuing legal proof. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned that further actions against Russia will be considered if the attack on the Albanian consulate is legally validated.
Esmeralda Topi
On the evening of March 6, 2022, some employees of the Albanian Honorary Consulate in Kharkiv were huddled in a basement. Around 10:15 PM, they were startled by a massive explosion that hit their makeshift emergency shelter, set up in response to the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
‘I am deeply saddened when I recall the day of the bombing. I wasn’t in the office at that time, but our dedicated staff was present. Thankfully, and as a precaution, they were in the basement,’ recalls Shahin Omarov, Honorary Consul of Albania in Ukraine.
The Albanian Consulate office in Kharkiv, located on the first floor of a high-rise building, was destroyed due to the bombings.
‘Nonetheless, the devastation we saw when we looked at our ruined consulate served as a stark reminder of the harsh reality we are confronting,’ Omarov adds.
Even though the Russian invasion of Ukraine had only recently begun, the attack on a diplomatic mission in Kharkiv was unimaginable.
‘Even amidst the ongoing conflict, a targeted assault on a diplomatic mission was beyond anything we could have anticipated,’ states the Albanian Consul in Ukraine.
Securing Evidence
The Albanian Honorary Consulate is the only diplomatic representation in Kharkiv. Two years after the incident, the Albanian government continues its efforts to document the destruction of the Albanian Consulate in Ukraine as a result of the Russian attack. On April 4, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Albania sent a request for information to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine.
‘We request details regarding the case dated November 9, 2022, registered with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Kharkiv Region, related to the events of March 6, 2022, when the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania, as well as the residence of Honorary Consul Mr. Shahkin Omarov, were targeted and destroyed by Russian forces,’ the letter to the General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine reads.
‘The above follows from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs’ request directed to the General Prosecutor’s Office concerning the incident mentioned,’ the General Prosecutor’s Office explained to Faktoje, while emphasizing that there has not yet been an official response from the Ukrainian authorities.
The Albanian government seeks updates on the investigation started by the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office. The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs supports this request based on the following argument:
‘The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is interested because the premises of the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Albania in Kharkiv, as a consular institution, have a direct relationship with the Republic of Albania, in accordance with international norms governing diplomatic and consular relations between states,’ the Ministry stated to Faktoje.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also notes that further actions will be considered against Russia if the Russian attack on the Albanian consulate in Ukraine is legally confirmed with evidence.
‘Upon the conclusion of the procedures and based on the findings, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will take additional steps in accordance with international practices and documents addressing such incidents,’- the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs stated, as the investigation remains ongoing.
But what actions can and should Albania take in this situation?
‘Considering this strong support and proactive position, Albania should indeed contemplate reciprocal actions to address Russia’s designation of Albania as an unfriendly country,’ suggests Shahin Omarov, the Honorary Consul of Albania in Ukraine.
On March 5, 2022, Russia designated Albania as an unfriendly country in response to the Albanian government’s position on the war in Ukraine. The following day, the Honorary Consulate of Albania in Ukraine, the only Albanian diplomatic mission there, was bombed by Russian forces.
‘The attack on the Albanian consulate is a blatant and flagrant violation of international norms. It is the only diplomatic mission that has been specifically targeted and destroyed since the conflict began in Ukraine,’ Omarov concludes.
Reactions Between Tirana and Moscow
The incident was initially reported by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania.
‘Albania strongly condemns the Russian aggression that resulted in the destruction of the Honorary Consulate of Albania in Kharkiv. The perpetrators will be held accountable,’ stated the notice of the Albanian Ministry.
Moscow’s response came 10 days after the Albanian report.
‘We strongly reject these accusations and call for accurate information to be provided to the public,’ the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.
Tirana responded immediately, denouncing the Russian claims as ‘false information.’ The response was accompanied by images of the consulate after the bombing.
‘The images of the destruction speak for themselves. This devastation of the premises and the destruction of documents in the archives constitutes a blatant violation of Article 61, Chapter III of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. The disinformation and false news regarding this attack are unacceptable!’ said the Albanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Conclusion
The attack on the Albanian Consulate in Kharkiv by Russian forces marks the first direct destruction of a diplomatic mission since the conflict in Ukraine began. This constitutes a significant violation of international norms. Albania continues to seek legal evidence and international backing to address the assault, amidst ongoing diplomatic tensions with Russia.
