Russia claims its embassy in Syria was shelled

The Russian foreign ministry says its embassy compound in the Syrian capital of Damascus has come under shelling from rebel groups.

The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the embassy was shelled on Monday, with one mortar landing and exploding near the residential compound and two more by the embassy building.

The ministry said no one was harmed and blamed the attack on two rebel groups, including al-Qaida's affiliate in Syria which was formerly known as the Nusra Front.

The situation in Syria has deteriorated considerably since the collapse of a U.S.-Russia-brokered cease-fire two weeks ago.

The ministry said the attack is the result of a U.S. policy and its allies which "provokes further bloodshed in Syria."