Man Charged After Dramatic SUV Crash at Russian Consulate in Woollahra

A quiet Woollahra street was thrown into chaos on Monday morning when a man allegedly smashed his SUV through the gates of the Russian consulate, prompting a rapid police response.

The confrontation began just after 8am, when consulate staff spotted a white Toyota Kluger idling in the Fullerton Street driveway and alerted the Australian Federal Police’s diplomatic protection team.

SUV rams Russian consulate gates in early morning breach

Before NSW Police, called in at the request of the AFP, could intervene, the SUV suddenly tore through the gates and veered onto the property before coming to a halt on the lawn.

Footage later broadcast by Nine News appeared to show officers surrounding the car, shouting at the driver to get down and put his hands behind his back.

Neighbour James King told the Sydney Morning Herald he was halfway through breakfast as the vehicle lunged.

“A police officer then ran over to the car and started really smashing the window trying to get the guy out of the car,” he said.

“It was like watching an American reality show—we were like ‘this only happens in America, not in Sydney’.”

Woollahra locals stunned by dramatic scenes

Another resident recalled police with drawn weapons ordering the man out of the vehicle, as per SMH.

The driver, identified as 39-year-old Rimi Abraham, surrendered without a fight and was taken to Surry Hills police station.

 

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After the arrest, the SUV sat on the consulate lawn with its front windows shattered and doors flung open. The NSW Police dog squad swept through the car before it was towed away.

NSW Police confirmed an AFP officer helped detain the driver.

NSW Ambulance said a 24-year-old constable cut his hand during the arrest, though the circumstances of the injury remain unclear.

By late morning, a staff member could be seen repairing the damaged gates, with AFP officers posted outside. Visitors were funnelled through a smaller side gate controlled by intercom.

Multiple charges laid as motive remains unclear

Inside the compound, pro-Kremlin figure Simeon Boikov, known online as the “Aussie Cossack”, said the commotion woke him around 8.30am.

Boikov has lived at the consulate for almost three years after being charged with assaulting a pro-Ukraine protester.

“At first I thought there was a fire,” Boikov told AAP. “When I came out, the Toyota was already on the grass and police had him.”

Boikov suggested the driver may have been seeking asylum, though police have not commented on the motive.

Police charged the 39-year-old with multiple offences including damaging property, resisting arrest, carrying a knife in public, and unlawfully entering enclosed land.

He remains in custody and is expected to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Tuesday.