Both Ukraine and Russia have suffered damage in their war, which is continuing for more than four years now. Photo: AP/PTI
One Indian worker killed, 3 injured as Ukraine launches massive drone strikes on Russia
The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the casualties and dispatched officials to the hospital, as Ukraine leadership backs the attacks that killed at least four
Four Indian workers on Sunday (May 17) found themselves at the receiving end of a drone attack in Russia's Moscow region, resulting in the death of at least one and injury to the others. The Indian Embassy in Russia confirmed the news and said diplomatic officials visited the site of the strike and met the injured at the hospital where they were receiving treatment.
Also read: 10 Indians dead after joining Russian military in Ukraine War, Centre tells SC
At least four people were killed in the strikes, including three near Moscow, while a dozen were injured. One of the deceased is a woman.
Indian Embassy condoles death
Condoling the death on the social media platform X, the embassy said it was working with the management of the workers’ company and local authorities to ensure that the necessary assistance is extended to the injured persons.
“The Embassy condoles the loss of life and is working with the company management and local authorities to provide necessary assistance to the workers,” the embassy said in a statement.
One Indian worker has lost his life and three others have been injured in a drone attack in Moscow region earlier today. Embassy officials have visited the location and met the injured workers in the hospital.
— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) May 17, 2026
The Embassy condoles the loss of life and is working with the…
It also tagged the Ministry of External Affairs on X.
The Indian nationals’ identities were not immediately revealed. Details about the strike were not released yet.
It is not the first time that Indians have died in the Russia-Ukraine war. In January 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs said that at least 12 Indians perished while serving in the Russian armed forces, while some more were reported to be missing” by the Russian side.
Also read: Five ways the Russia-Ukraine war has changed the world forever
In April, the Centre told the Supreme Court that 10 Indians who had travelled to Russia perished in the battleground. It also said that while many joined the fighting voluntarily, some were forced into the services.
Ukraine's massive drone strike on Russia
Sunday’s attack has been Ukraine's largest drone strikes on Russia in the course of the two countries' ongoing war. A dozen people were injured in the attack, Russian authorities said. Debris also fell on the country’s largest airport, Sheremetyevo in Moscow, but no damage was reported. The strikes also caused damage to the infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the drone strikes, saying that they were “entirely justified” and were in response to Moscow’s prolongation of the war.
Also read: Putin finds US peace plan a ‘starting point’, warns Ukraine to withdraw forces
Russian defence forces also retaliated, shooting down 81 drones headed for Moscow overnight, state agency TASS reported, citing Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, marking one of the largest attacks on the city since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
(With agency inputs)