A convoy in which Russian Ambassador Vladimir Titorenko and his diplomatic team were travelling to Syria came under attack outside Baghdad on Sunday.

It was not clear who was behind the attack, which left several people injured.

President Vladimir Putin was immediately informed of the incident and the American and Iraqi ambassadors were summoned to the Russian foreign ministry.

"It was demanded of the US and Iraqi sides that they take all necessary measures to safeguard the security of Russian citizens," the spokesman for Putin, Alexei Gromov, said.