An armed mob has broken into the Russian Embassy compound in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, climbing over walls, breaking down a metal gate and shooting in the air.
One of the attackers was killed by the random gunfire, and four were wounded. The Russian Foreign Ministry said no embassy staff were wounded.
Libyan officials believe the break-in was in response to the death of a Libyan air force pilot, who they said was killed by a Russian woman.
Wednesday's violence briefly raised fears of a repeat of last year's deadly attack on a US compound in the eastern city of Benghazi, in which the US ambassador and three other Americans were killed.
In that instance, on the anniversary of the September 11 terror attack, militants fired mortars at the consulate, surrounded it and set it on fire.
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The Libyan official says Wednesday's attackers took down the Russian flag hanging from the balcony of one of the buildings but they did not enter the buildings.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed the attack, saying on Ekho Moskvy radio, saying no embassy personnel were wounded.
Libya has been hit by a months-long wave of targeted killings against activists, judges and security agents.
On Wednesday, gunmen in Benghazi shot dead a naval officer and his 7-year-old son before fleeing the scene.
Most killings are presumed to be the work of armed factions, often acting out of revenge.
