Russia decided to downgrade its relations with Qatar following an airport attack on its ambassador, the foreign ministry stated Monday.

Russia decided to downgrade its relations with Qatar following an airport attack on its ambassador, the foreign ministry stated Monday.

In a statement it issued, the ministry said that Moscow's ambassador to Doha was attacked by security and customs personnel who were trying to strip him of his diplomatic bag.

"As a result of their aggressive behavior, the Qatar side's actions damaged the ambassador's health… the ambassador will be recalled to Russia once he completes treatment," the statement added.

Russia had demanded an official apology from the Gulf state for the incident that fell on the 29th of November.

AFP reported that “senior Doha officials had been informed about the decision to downgrade relations with Qatar."