(Newser) – Russia's ambassador to Turkey was shot and killed Monday while making a speech in the Turkish capital of Ankara, the Russian Foreign Ministry is confirming, per the AP. Andrei Karlov was hit while inside an art gallery. Karlov was several minutes into his speech when a man wearing a suit and tie shouted "Allahu akbar" and fired at least eight shots, according to an AP photographer in the audience. The BBC reports that the assassin also shouted, "Don't forget about Aleppo, don't forget about Syria." Police then reportedly shot and killed the assailant. In the ongoing Syrian war, Turkey opposes the regime of Bashar al-Assad, while Russia supports him.