Blast Hits U.S. Embassy Consular Entrance in Oslo, Prompting Major Police Response

Update: As of about 6:20 a.m. local time (05:20 UTC) on March 8, police say there have been no major developments in the investigation into the blast at the U.S. Embassy in Oslo. Authorities have appealed for public tips, while reiterating that no one was injured and the damage was limited to the consular entrance. The large police response remains in place, but officials continue to say the situation is stable, contained, and poses no immediate danger to the public.


A blast struck the entrance to the consular section of the U.S. Embassy compound in Oslo early Sunday, damaging the entryway and sending heavy smoke into the air, but causing no reported injuries, according to Norwegian authorities and local media.

The explosion happened at about 1:00 a.m. local time at the embassy complex in Huseby, western Oslo. Police said the damage appears to be limited to the consular entrance, while emergency teams, bomb technicians and forensic investigators continue working at the scene. Authorities have not said what caused the blast, who may be responsible, or whether the incident was targeted.

By around 2:30 a.m. local time, police incident commander Michael Dellemyr said investigators had formed an idea of what caused the explosion but were withholding that information for investigative reasons. Officers were still searching the surrounding area with dogs, drones and helicopters to rule out any additional threat and to look for possible perpetrators.

The response remained extensive through the early morning hours. Sørkedalsveien was closed, and police established a security cordon of roughly 700 meters around the embassy, with vehicle checkpoints and inspections in place.

Residents near the embassy told VG they were jolted awake by a powerful bang. One witness said the explosion was strong enough to shake nearby homes, and that heavy smoke could be seen rising from the embassy grounds.

Police said they remain in direct contact with embassy officials. As of the latest update, neither the U.S. Embassy in Oslo nor the U.S. State Department had issued a public statement. The embassy’s website also showed no security alerts, closures or disruptions to normal operations.

Authorities have so far linked the investigation to no broader event, and no suspects, motive or attribution have been announced. Police say this remains the only confirmed incident.

The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected as Norwegian authorities continue examining the scene in the hours ahead.

Russia vows response to Ukrainian ‘terror attack’ against Putin’s residence

Spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry Zakharova calls Zelensky a “terrorist outcast”. Credit: REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

Russian officials are vowing a strong response to what they describe as a “terrorist attack” using 91 Ukrainian UAVs against Putin’s Valdai residence in Novgorod oblast. Russia’s Ministry of Defence says all drones were intercepted with no casualties or damage being reported.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says that Russia’s Armed Forces have deemed “how, with what, and when to respond” to Ukraine’s ‘terrorist attack’. Ukrainian monitoring channels have previously warned of a large Russian attack coinciding with New Year’s Eve. Putin told Trump that “Kiev’s terrorist actions” will not go unanswered, according to Russia’s TASS state news agency.

Spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova also ramped up the rhetoric by calling Ukrainian President Zelensky a ‘terrorist outcast’, vowing that a strong response is coming. Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, also said that Zelensky would “have to stay in hiding for the rest of his worthless life”.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the timing and nature of Russia’s response to “Kyiv’s state terrorism” has been decided

Ukraine denies

Ukraine vehemently denies being behind the reported drone attack against Putin’s residence, with President Zelensky saying that it is “a complete fabrication intended to justify additional attacks against Ukraine”. Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have told Ukrainians to remain vigilant, warning that Russia is preparing ground to “strike Ukraine’s government buildings in Kyiv”

No evidence has been provided by Russia of the attack on Putin’s residence. Local residents have told independent Russian outlet SOTA that no air defence activity was heard in the proximity of Putin’s residence last night.

A source close to French President Macron told Reuters on Tuesday there was no evidence to corroborate Russia’s claims that Ukraine targeted Putin’s residence. Asked by reporters, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said there was no need to provide evidence of the attack.

Peace Negotiations

Russian officials have signalled a switch in their approach to the ongoing peace negotiations with Ukraine. Kremlin Spokesman Peskov said Russia would toughen its negotiating position. It’s not immediately clear what this would entail as no further information has been provided.

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov told Russian State Media that Trump told Putin that the drone attack would affect American approaches to working with Zelensky. US officials have not confirmed this.

International reactions

US President Donald Trump told press that he was angry when President Putin told him about the attack on his residence. In a phone call with the Russian leader, Trump reportedly said “Thank God, we did not give Tomahawks to Ukraine”, according to Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua have condemned the purported attack against Putin’s residence. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X that he was “Deeply concerned by reports of the targeting of the residence of the President of the Russian Federation”.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha says they were “disappointed and concerned to see the statements by Emirati, Indian, and Pakistani sides expressing their concerns regarding the attack that never happened.

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have condemned the Kremlin for what they deem a false flag operation to justify possible strikes against Ukraine. Latvia’s Foreign Minister Baiba Braže said in response to the Russian claims that “The Kremlin butcher needs war, not peace, to justify existence”.