Yevgeny Karlov

Yevgeny Karlov was a Russian diplomat who served as Russia's ambassador to Turkey. He was assassinated on December 19, 2016, in Ankara, Turkey, while giving a speech at an art exhibition. The assassination was carried out by Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, an off-duty Turkish police officer, who shouted Islamist slogans after firing the fatal shots. The assassination was widely condemned internationally. The event significantly strained relations between Russia and Turkey, although both countries subsequently worked to improve ties and establish a joint investigation into the assassination. Karlov's death underscored the volatile geopolitical landscape of the region and the dangers faced by diplomats in conflict zones or areas with heightened tensions. Following his death, Karlov was posthumously awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation.