Russian strike hits Indian Pharma warehouse in Kyiv, Ukraine alleges deliberate targeting

New Delhi: Ukraine today claimed that a Russian missile hit the warehouse of an Indian pharmaceutical company in Kyiv. The Ukrainian embassy in India accused Russia of "deliberately" attacking Indian businesses operating in the country.

"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," Ukraine's embassy said.

Kusum, which is owned by Indian businessman Rajiv Gupta, is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Ukraine. According to sources who spoke to NDTV, the company's products play a crucial role in maintaining the supply of essential medicines across Ukraine. They also claimed that the warehouse was struck directly by a drone, not a missile.

Before Ukraine's embassy issued its statement, British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris had said that Russian strikes had destroyed a major pharmaceutical warehouse in Kyiv. However, he too mentioned that drones, and not a missile, were used in the attack.

"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," Mr Martin said in a post on X.

He also shared a photo showing smoke billowing from what looked like a warehouse, with a fire engine present at the scene.

Earlier in the day, Russia’s defence ministry accused Ukraine of launching five attacks on Russian energy facilities within the past 24 hours, claiming it violated a US-brokered moratorium on such strikes.

Last month, both countries had agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, but they have continued to trade accusations of violating the agreement.

India has consistently called for peace and a cessation of hostilities between Russia and Ukraine but has refrained from openly siding with either country.

Following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India began purchasing significant amounts of oil from Russia. The main reason was that Russian crude was being sold at a considerable discount compared to other international benchmarks due to Western sanctions and reduced European demand.

Russia remains India’s largest source of oil. In February, India imported 1.48 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from Russia, compared to 1.67 million bpd in January.