Thu Apr 17 15:28:00 UTC 2025: ## Russia Denies Targeting Indian Pharma Warehouse in Kyiv, Blames Ukraine’s Air Defenses
**New Delhi, India** – Russia has vehemently denied Ukrainian accusations that a Russian missile struck a warehouse belonging to Indian pharmaceutical company Kusum Healthcare in Kyiv last week. The Russian embassy in India issued a statement asserting that a Ukrainian air defense missile, not a Russian one, likely caused the fire at the warehouse on April 12th.
Ukraine had previously alleged that a Russian missile deliberately targeted the warehouse, accusing Russia of attacking Indian businesses operating within the country. Kusum Healthcare, a major pharmaceutical firm in Ukraine, provides essential medicines across the nation. Some reports suggest a drone, rather than a missile, may have been responsible.
The Russian embassy countered that Ukrainian air defense systems, positioned in civilian areas, are used as human shields, and that the incident was likely a result of a malfunctioning Ukrainian missile. They stated that Russian forces were targeting a military aviation plant and airfield infrastructure at a different location on that day and have never intentionally targeted civilian facilities. The embassy cited previous similar incidents attributed to ineffective Ukrainian air defense systems. The incident remains a point of contention between Russia and Ukraine.
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