Indian-run Kusum pharma plant in Ukraine hit by Russian drones, 1 killed

An Indian-run pharmaceutical plant in Ukraine’s Sumy region has been badly damaged in a Russian drone attack, with one person killed and several others injured, according to a report by NDTV.

The main structure of the facility, owned by the Kusum Group, was largely destroyed in the attack.

Visuals from the site showed a large plume of smoke rising from the facility after the drones struck. Local officials said that the casualty figures could change as rescue and assessment operations continued.

When contacted by Firstpost over the phone, the Kusum Group’s Delhi office declined to comment on the attack. Queries sent to the company by email also remained unanswered at the time of publishing. This report will be updated if the company responds.

Indian group with Ukrainian operations

The Kusum Group began operations in 1994 as a distributor of Indian medicines to Ukraine. It is currently run by Indian national Rajeev Gupta and describes itself as a Ukrainian company with Indian roots.

The company moved away from distributing medicines made by other firms in 2002 and began developing its own brands.

According to the report, it later entered manufacturing, opening a facility in India in 2007 before setting up its Sumy plant in Ukraine in 2009. It subsequently added two more manufacturing facilities in India.

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The group produces more than 50 largely generic medicines and sells its products in several countries, including Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and the Philippines.

The Sumy facility had continued operations through much of the Russia-Ukraine war but has now suffered extensive damage. The losses from the destruction are estimated at at least Rs 400 crore.

Russia steps up drone attacks

The attack comes amid an intensification of Russian strikes across Ukraine. Since the summer, Moscow has launched large numbers of Shahed drones, including jet-powered variants, in attacks across the country.

Ukraine’s air defence forces have faced difficulties in intercepting some of these drones because of their speed.

Kyiv has also announced the first combat use of its domestically developed FP-7 ballistic missile, which reportedly has a range of around 250 km.

Meanwhile, Russia has warned that it will continue carrying out strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Moscow has also urged foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that its forces would continue “targeted” attacks on military facilities, claiming the strikes were in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilians and civilian infrastructure.

Kyiv bridge damaged in fresh strikes

The latest wave of Russian attacks killed at least six people and damaged the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro River in Kyiv. The damage disrupted traffic in the capital, where residents have already faced repeated strikes in recent days.

News agency AP reported that key infrastructure in Kyiv has been affected, with three of the city’s six road bridges facing full or partial closures.