Indian-owned Kusum Group pharma plant hit in Russian drone strike on Sumy
Synopsis
An Indian-owned pharmaceutical plant in Sumy, Ukraine — belonging to the Kusum Group, headed by Indian national Rajeev Gupta — was destroyed in a Russian drone attack on 4 October, killing one person. The strike was part of an overnight barrage of 135 Russian drones targeting six Ukrainian regions, with President Zelensky warning Russia used over 1,900 drones and 1,700 aerial bombs in the war zone in just one week.
Key Takeaways
The Kusum Group pharma plant in Sumy, Ukraine was destroyed in a Russian drone attack on 4 October 2026 .
One person was killed and several others were injured; casualty figures may rise, officials warned.
Russian forces launched 135 attack drones overnight, targeting Kyiv, Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Donetsk , and Zaporizhzhia .
The Kusum Group , headed by Indian national Rajeev Gupta , has operated in Ukraine since 1994 and set up the Sumy plant in 2009 .
President Zelensky condemned the strikes and said Russia used more than 1,900 drones, 1,700 aerial bombs , and 25 missiles against Ukraine in the past week alone.
The broader attacks also struck the Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv and a communications facility in Dnipro , injuring six people.
A pharmaceutical facility in Sumy, Ukraine, owned by India's Kusum Group, was struck in a Russian drone attack on 4 October 2026, killing one person and injuring several others, according to reports. The main structure of the plant has been destroyed, making it among the most significant attacks on Indian-linked commercial infrastructure since the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalated.
What Happened at the Sumy Plant
Visuals from the site showed a large plume of smoke rising from the Kusum Group facility after the drones struck. Air raid sirens had been blaring across the city since morning. The exact number of casualties remains fluid — officials cautioned that fatalities and injury figures may change as rescue and assessment operations continue at the site.
The attack was part of a broader overnight barrage in which Russia launched 135 attack drones against Ukraine, targeting the regions of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, Donetsk, Sumy, and Zaporizhzhia. More than 50 of those drones were jet-powered, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky Condemns the Strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly condemned the attacks, offering condolences to the family of the person killed at the Sumy pharmaceutical site. In a post on X, he stated: 'This morning, the Russians once again struck the Pivnichnyi Bridge in Kyiv with a drone. They attacked an ordinary pharmaceutical warehouse in Sumy with drones. Tragically, one person was killed. My condolences to the family and loved ones. In Dnipro, they struck a communications facility. Six people were injured as a result of these attacks.'
In a separate post, Zelensky warned of the scale of the week's assault: 'This week alone, the Russians have used more than 1,900 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 25 missiles against Ukraine. More than 800 of the drones were jet-powered, and Russia must be held accountable for this escalation.' He urged the international community to hold Russia accountable.
About the Kusum Group's Ukraine Operations
The Kusum Group began operations in Ukraine in 1994 as a distributor of Indian medicines and is currently headed by Indian national Rajeev Gupta. In 2002, the company ceased distributing third-party medicines and pivoted to marketing its own brands. It transitioned into manufacturing, opening a plant in India in 2007 before establishing its Sumy facility in 2009. The group manufactures more than 50 generic products and sells them across several countries including Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.
Broader Context: Escalation Through the Week
The Sumy strike was part of four consecutive days of Russian drone attacks that have damaged and destroyed several structures across Ukraine, including key bridges in Kyiv. Notably, the Sunday assault came as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv to demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine and announced a 1.3-billion euro support package. Power outages were reported in some communities following the latest round of strikes. Ukrainian services were working at multiple impact sites as of the morning of 4 October.
The attack on an Indian-linked business underscores the widening economic footprint of the conflict, with commercial assets bearing increasing collateral risk even as diplomatic efforts by Western nations continue.
Point of View
Not mere investment — makes this a genuine commercial and human loss, not just a geopolitical footnote. India's official posture of strategic neutrality has shielded its diplomatic relationships, but it offers no protection to Indian nationals or businesses operating on the ground. As Russian strikes intensify across civilian and commercial infrastructure, New Delhi will face growing pressure to weigh its balancing act against the real costs being borne by Indian citizens abroad.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Indian company's plant was hit in Ukraine?
The plant belongs to the Kusum Group , an Indian pharmaceutical company headed by Indian national Rajeev Gupta . The facility, located in Sumy, Ukraine , was established in 2009 and manufactures more than 50 generic products sold across several countries.
How many people were killed or injured in the Sumy drone strike?
One person was killed and several others were injured when the Kusum Group's pharma plant in Sumy was struck on 4 October 2026 . Ukrainian officials cautioned that the casualty figures could change as operations at the site continued.
What did President Zelensky say about the attacks?
President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes, offering condolences to the family of the person killed in Sumy. He stated that Russia launched 135 attack drones overnight and warned that Russia had used more than 1,900 drones, 1,700 aerial bombs , and 25 missiles against Ukraine in the week alone, urging the international community to hold Russia accountable.
What is the Kusum Group and how long has it been in Ukraine?
The Kusum Group began as a distributor of Indian medicines in Ukraine in 1994 . It transitioned to manufacturing its own brands, opening an Indian plant in 2007 and the Sumy plant in 2009 . The company produces more than 50 generic medicines and sells them across Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.
Why have Russian drone attacks intensified this week?
Russian drone attacks have continued for at least four consecutive days , targeting bridges, communications facilities, and commercial infrastructure across Ukraine. The strikes on Sunday coincided with a surprise visit to Kyiv by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz , who announced a 1.3-billion euro aid package, suggesting Russia may be escalating in response to continued Western support.
