Russian Drone Strike Hits Indian Pharma Warehouse In Kyiv, Ukraine Accuses Moscow Of ‘Deliberate Targeting’

A Russian drone strike has hit the warehouse of an Indian pharmaceutical company in Kyiv, Ukraine claimed on Saturday.

The Ukrainian embassy in India accused Moscow of "deliberately" targeting Indian-owned businesses operating in the war-torn country.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

"Today, a Russian missile struck the warehouse of Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum in Ukraine. While claiming 'special friendship' with India, Moscow deliberately targets Indian businesses - destroying medicines meant for children and the elderly," the Ukrainian embassy alleged in a statement.

Kusum, which is owned by Indian businessman Rajiv Gupta, is considered one of the largest pharmaceutical firms in Ukraine.

Apparently, it was a drone - not a missile - that made a direct hit on the warehouse.

Prior to Kyiv's remarks, the British ambassador to Ukraine, Martin Harris, also confirmed the destruction of a major pharmaceutical warehouse in Kyiv by Russian strikes. However, he too attributed the attack to drones, not missiles.

"This morning Russian drones completely destroyed a major pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, incinerating stocks of medicines needed by the elderly and children. Russia's campaign of terror against Ukrainian civilians continues," Harris posted on X.

The envoy also shared a photograph showing smoke billowing from what appeared to be a warehouse, with a fire engine stationed nearby.

Earlier in the day, Russia's defence ministry claimed Ukraine had launched five attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the previous 24 hours, describing them as breaches of a US-brokered moratorium on such strikes.

Though Ukraine and Russia had agreed to suspend strikes on each other's energy facilities last month, both sides have accused the other of violating the truce multiple times since.

India, for its part, has consistently called for peace and an end to hostilities between Russia and Ukraine but has refrained from taking a firm position in the conflict.

Since the onset of the war in February 2022, India has significantly increased its oil imports from Russia, owing to deep discounts offered as Western sanctions prompted some European countries to halt purchases.

Russia remains India's largest supplier of crude oil, with imports reaching 1.48 million barrels per day (bpd) in February, compared to 1.67 million bpd the previous month.