Kusum Group Indian pharma plant in Ukraine destroyed in Russian drone strike
One person was killed and several injured in the strike on the Sumy facility, which had kept running throughout the war.
A major pharmaceutical plant run by India's Kusum Group in the Ukrainian city of Sumy has been largely destroyed after a wave of Russian drone attacks. The strike killed one person, injured several others, and caused damage estimated at more than ₹400 crore.
The facility, which has been manufacturing generic medicines since 2009, had managed to keep operating throughout the war despite being located in a region frequently targeted by Russian forces.
Visuals from the scene on Sunday showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the site, with the main structure of the factory severely compromised. Ukrainian emergency services are still conducting rescue operations, and officials warned that the casualty figures could rise.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strike in an address, describing the facility as an "ordinary pharmaceutical warehouse" and extending his condolences to the family of the worker who died. The strike on Sumy was part of a broader overnight bombardment in which Russia launched 135 attack drones across Ukraine, including several high-speed, jet-powered models that are harder for air defences to intercept.
What is the Kusum Group?
Founded in 1994 by Indian national Rajeev Gupta, the Kusum Group describes itself as a Ukrainian company with Indian roots. It began its life as a distributor exporting medicines from India to Ukraine before launching its own brands in 2002.
To meet growing demand, the company expanded into direct manufacturing. It opened its first plant in India in 2007 and followed with the Sumy facility in northeastern Ukraine two years later. Today, the group operates two additional manufacturing plants in India.
The company produces more than 50 generic drugs, supplying essential medicines to Ukraine and exporting to major regional markets including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines.
Why the Sumy plant matters
Sumy lies in northeastern Ukraine, close to the Russian border, making it highly vulnerable to cross-border artillery and drone attacks. Despite these constant threats, Kusum Group had kept the facility running to maintain the supply of critical medicines to the local population and export markets.
The loss of the plant is expected to disrupt medicine supplies across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Kusum Group, which employs hundreds of people across its operations, has been a key supplier of affordable generic medications.
The destruction of its Sumy hub cuts off a major production line for generic drugs, including cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and pain relief medications.
The attack coincided with a surprise visit to Kyiv by the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who met with Zelensky to discuss further air defence support. During the visit, air raid sirens sounded across the capital, where Russian strikes also damaged the Northern Bridge.
Russia's Defence Ministry has warned foreign nationals to leave Kyiv, stating that its forces will continue to target industrial and infrastructure sites across the country.
Key numbers
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated financial damage | ₹400 crore | Local media reports |
| Total overnight attack drones launched by Russia | 135 | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky |
| Year Sumy plant was established | 2009 | Kusum Group |
In this story
| Name | Role in the story |
|---|---|
| Kusum Group | The Indian-run pharmaceutical company whose plant was destroyed in Sumy. |
| Sumy | The city in northeastern Ukraine where the destroyed factory was located. |
