New Delhi / Kyiv, April 17: The Russian Embassy in India has firmly denied allegations that its military was responsible for the April 12 missile strike that destroyed a warehouse belonging to Indian pharmaceutical firm Kusum Healthcare in Kyiv, Ukraine. The embassy instead pointed fingers at Ukrainian air defence systems, suggesting the destruction may have been caused by a malfunctioning Ukrainian interceptor missile.
In an official statement released Thursday, the Russian mission in New Delhi stated, “The most probable cause of the incident is a misfired Ukrainian air defence missile, which struck the warehouse and ignited a fire. Similar incidents have occurred in the past where Ukrainian interceptors, due to inadequately managed electronic warfare systems, landed in civilian zones.”
Civilian Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
The Russian embassy further accused Ukrainian forces of placing military hardware such as artillery and rocket systems within civilian facilities, which it claims increases the risk of unintended strikes on non-military structures. This tactic, Russia alleges, blurs the line between civilian and military targets.
India’s Kusum Healthcare Caught in Crossfire
The warehouse, operated by Kusum Healthcare, an Indian pharmaceutical company with a significant presence in Ukraine, was reportedly a major logistics hub in Kyiv. According to earlier reports by The Hindu, the facility was completely destroyed in the April 12 strike, leading to substantial losses for the firm.
Ukraine Accuses Russia
In contrast, the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi squarely blamed the Russian military for the attack. In a public statement issued shortly after the incident, Ukrainian officials accused Russia of targeting civilian infrastructure and reiterated their call for international support against continued aggression.
This conflicting narrative has added to the ongoing information war accompanying the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as both sides continue to accuse the other of endangering civilians and violating international norms.
Diplomatic Tensions and Fallout
Responding to Ukraine’s accusations, the Russian Embassy in India said, “The Russian Armed Forces did not plan or carry out any missile strikes on Kusum Healthcare’s facility on April 12, 2025. The claims being circulated are baseless.”
As of now, there has been no independent confirmation of the cause of the explosion. The incident has sparked concern in India, with many calling for a thorough investigation to determine responsibility, particularly given the growing number of Indian businesses operating in conflict zones.
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