‘Deeply concerned about Russian bombing on Kyiv; India calls for a halt to hostilities

Digital Desk: Hours after Russian airstrikes hit Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, India expressed serious worry about the conflict's escalation and reiterated its urge for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a return to diplomacy. 

During the morning rush hour, Russia launched cruise missiles at cities across Ukraine, killing numerous civilians and knocking out power. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the strikes were in reprisal for Ukrainian attacks, including one on a critical bridge in Crimea. 

"India is gravely worried about the escalation of the violence in Ukraine, especially the targeting of infrastructure and the killings of people," said Arindam Bagchi, a spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, without identifying Russia.

"We emphasise that an increase in hostilities is in no one's best interests." We demand an immediate cease of hostilities and a return to diplomacy and negotiation. "India is ready to support all such de-escalation efforts," he said. 

The Indian reply was consistent with its declared position since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24: there should be an immediate cessation of hostilities and a resumption of talks and diplomacy between the two nations to find a solution. 

"Since the outset of the conflict, India has always maintained that the global order is founded in the values of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all governments," Bagchi said.

On the fringes of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan on September 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Putin that "today's period is not of war," and urged him to cease the situation in Ukraine in light of developing countries' worries about food and fuel security. 

On October 4, Modi called Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirmed his plea for a cease of hostilities and a return to discussion and diplomacy. Modi stated that there can be "no military solution" and that India is willing to contribute to peace efforts. Modi has already urged direct talks between the two presidents.

So far, India has refrained from openly criticising Russia for the invasion and has voted against most Ukraine-related UN resolutions. It has also rejected efforts from the US and its European partners to take a stand on the Ukraine conflict and refrain from purchasing inexpensive Russian goods such as crude oil. 

Russia's airstrikes on Monday marked a significant escalation in the eight-month-old conflict. The cruise missiles struck important traffic intersections, parks, and tourist attractions in Kyiv's centre. 

Explosions were also recorded in Lviv, Ternopil, and Zhytomyr in the west, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Kremenchuk in the east, and Zaporizhzhia in the south. According to Ukrainian officials, at least ten persons were murdered and 60 more were injured.

General Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces, stated on Twitter that 41 of Russia's 75 missiles were intercepted by air defence systems. 

Putin said in a televised address that he had ordered "massive" long-range missile strikes against Ukraine's energy and command and communication targets in response to "terrorist attacks," including Saturday's explosion on the Kerch Strait bridge, which connects Russia to the annexed Crimean region.