Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv while External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was visiting the Ukrainian capital, adding that the Indian delegation remained safe during the incident.
Zelenskyy claimed the attack involved jet-powered Shahed drones developed with Iran’s assistance and said Ukrainian combat aircraft intercepted most of them.
The alleged attack came as Jaishankar held a series of meetings with Ukraine’s leadership during his visit to Kyiv.
What Did Zelenskyy Say About The Drone Attack?
In a post on X following his meeting with Jaishankar, Zelenskyy said Russia had launched drones towards Kyiv while the Indian minister was in the city.
“Today, while the Minister was here with us in Kyiv, Russia once again launched jet-powered ‘Shaheds,’ which were developed not without Iran’s help,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian President said fighter jets managed to shoot down most of the drones and that Jaishankar and other members of the Indian delegation were safe.
There was no immediate indication of any threat or injury to members of the visiting Indian team.
Jaishankar Meets Zelenskyy, Discusses Ukraine War
During his visit, Jaishankar met Zelenskyy and conveyed greetings and good wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He also held discussions with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and possible efforts towards peace forming a key part of the talks.
Zelenskyy thanked India for its engagement in efforts aimed at ending the conflict and highlighted New Delhi’s repeated message that the present period should not be an “era of war”.
The Ukrainian President called on major global powers to take a clear position in favour of ending the conflict and achieving a lasting peace.
India Says Solution Cannot Come From Battlefield
Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict cannot emerge through continued fighting.
“India has consistently maintained that this is not an era of war, and that solutions will not emerge from the battlefield,” he said.
The External Affairs Minister also said India was prepared to contribute if it could help the two sides move towards ending the conflict.
He stressed, however, that it was ultimately for the parties directly involved to find a way forward.
Black Sea Shipping, Food And Fuel Supplies Discussed
Security in the Black Sea and threats to civilian and commercial shipping were also discussed during Jaishankar’s meetings in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to disrupt Ukrainian ports, food corridors and maritime supplies, arguing that blocking essential supplies to countries dependent on shipping routes was unacceptable.
Jaishankar also highlighted the impact of the conflict on commercial shipping, noting that Indian seafarers serving aboard vessels of different flags had been among those affected.
He said disruptions to maritime trade have wider consequences for countries in the Global South, particularly through uncertainty and shortages involving food, fertilisers and fuel.
The discussions in Kyiv came as India continues to maintain diplomatic engagement with both Ukraine and Russia while calling for dialogue and diplomacy to bring the conflict to an end.
