The Ukrainian embassy in India asserted on Saturday that a Russian missile attacked the warehouse of Indian pharma firm Kusum in Ukraine. The embassy wrote on social media site X, charging Moscow, which claims to have “special friendship” with India, to target Indian companies intentionally.
The embassy’s tweet came after British Ambassador to Ukraine Martin Harris said, “Today Russian drones flattened a large pharmaceuticals warehouse in Kyiv, burning stocks of medicines required by the elderly and children. Russia’s terror campaign against Ukrainian civilians continues.
Responding to Harris’ tweet, the Ukrainian embassy in India stated Russia had destroyed drugs meant for vulnerable segments like children and the elderly. It stated, “Moscow, while boasting of ‘special friendship’ with India, willfully targets Indian businesses.”
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which erupted in February 2022, continues to cause widespread devastation. Russia launched its full-scale invasion, claiming to protect Russian-speaking populations in eastern Ukraine and halt NATO’s eastward expansion.
Since then, major Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv and Kharkiv have faced repeated missile and drone attacks. The conflict has displaced millions, forcing many Ukrainians to flee their homes and seek refuge abroad.
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate at Antalya Forum
With continuing strikes, the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine had a diplomatic spat at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey on Saturday. Each accused the other of breaking a US-brokered ceasefire meant to stop attacks on energy facilities.
The diplomatic ceremony came after Russian President Vladimir Putin met with US envoy Steve Witkoff. In the meantime, Ukraine’s Western allies pledged billions of further aid to maintain Kyiv’s continued defense against Russia.
Despite Russia and Ukraine having already signed in principle earlier to a 30-day truce, divergent interpretations of the deal became apparent just a day after successive meetings with US officials in Saudi Arabia.
F-16 Pilot Killed in Action
In addition to Ukraine’s woes, the Ukrainian military confirmed the death of a 26-year-old F-16 fighter pilot during combat. This is the second incident of its kind since the delivery of US-made F-16s to Ukraine.
“On 12 April 2025, 26-year-old Pavlo Ivanov was killed during an F-16 combat flight,” the Ukrainian military stated in an official report.
As the war persists, events such as the reported missile attack on Kusum’s warehouse keep the conflict escalating and fueling doubts on the actions of warring nations, even in respect to their global alliances.
