Russian Foreign Ministry condemns Istanbul terrorist acts

The Russian Foreign Ministry has resolutely condemned the series of terrorist acts committed in Istanbul on Thursday.

"The Russian Foreign Ministry resolutely condemns today's acts of terrorism, which have taken many lives", reads the communique of Alexander Yakovenko, official spokesman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, which has come to hand at RIA Novosti.

"We express condolences to the relatives of the deceased and sympathy to the victims", reads the communique.

"These criminal deeds are another proof of the need to combine the efforts of the international community in the struggle against terrorism", Alexander Yakovenko stressed.

On Thursday from two to five explosions have sounded virtually simultaneously in Istanbul. In the latest information, up to 17 persons have died and about 320 were wounded.