One Russian worker was killed and two others taken hostage in Iraq's capital Baghdad, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

"All possible measures are being taken for the fastest liberation of our citizens," the ministry said in a statement.

The Russian government is working with "interested organizations" to increase the security of those Russians remaining in Iraq, the statement said.

The three had worked for the Interenergoservice company which was trying to restore energy supplies to the war-torn country.

Earlier reports reaching here said a group of armed men attacked the Russians as they were returning from work by car in Baghdad on Monday afternoon.

Russian officials said that no one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack and that no ransom or other demands had been made for the hostages' release.

Source: Xinhua