Russian drones bear Indian parts, Pak fighters helping Moscow, claims Ukraine

Kyiv has found components from India in Russian drones used for attacks on Ukraine, the country’s top presidential official said on Tuesday.

Andriy Yermak, presidential chief of staff, said on Telegram that these drones were involved in attacks along the frontlines and against civilians.

Further, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that mercenaries from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and African countries were fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict.

This announcement comes as Ukraine continues to grapple with the brutal war that has claimed countless lives and displaced millions.

Besides, NATO has started coordinating regular deliveries of large weapons packages to Ukraine after the Netherlands said it would provide air defence equipment, ammunition and other military aid worth USD 578 million.

Sweden also announced it would contribute USD 275 million to a joint effort along with its Nordic neighbours Denmark and Norway to provide USD 500 million worth of air defences, anti-tank weapons, ammunition and spare parts.

Two deliveries of equipment, most of it bought in the United States, are expected this month, although the Nordic package is expected to arrive in September. The equipment is supplied based on Ukraine’s priority needs on the battlefield. NATO allies then locate the weapons and ammunition and send them on.

“Packages will be prepared rapidly and issued on a regular basis,” the alliance said.

Air defence systems are of the greatest need as the United Nations has said that Russia’s relentless pounding of urban areas behind the frontline has killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians.

Russia’s bigger army is also making slow but costly progress along the 1,000-kilometre frontline. Currently, it is waging an operation to take the eastern city of Pokrovsk, a logistical hub.