New Delhi: India on Monday, October 10, expressed deep concern at the escalation of the Ukraine war, with the explosion of a key bridge supplying the Russian military and retaliatory missile strikes by Russia on Ukrainian cities.

"India is deeply concerned at the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine, including the targeting of infrastructure and deaths of civilians," said India’s foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Monday.

At least 10 Ukrainian cities came under missile attacks on Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin said were in "revenge" for sabotaging the bridge linking Crimea with Russia.

Russian authorities claim that a truck bomb caused an explosion that led to the partial collapse of the bridge inaugurated by Putin in 2018.

According to the reports, the bridge is critical to sustaining Russia’s military operations in southern Ukraine and has symbolic status in maintaining Russian claims over the Crimean peninsula.

Two days after the bridge explosion, Russia rained down missiles across Ukraine in the most significant attack since the start of the war in February. According to Ukrainian emergency services, at least 11 civilians were killed and over 60 injured across the country.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the Russian attacks had targeted the energy infrastructure.

There were reports of missile strikes hitting power plants and water supplies in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities.

By referring to the targeting of infrastructure and civilian deaths, India is addressing both the bridge attack by Ukraine and Monday’s devastating missile strikes.

"We reiterate that escalation of hostilities is in no one's interest. We urge immediate cessation of hostilities and the urgent return to the path of diplomacy and dialogue. India stands ready to support all such efforts aimed at de-escalation," added Bagchi.

Since the start of the conflict, India has not directly criticised Russia for the invasion and abstained on resolutions brought out against Moscow at various UN bodies.

"India has consistently maintained since the beginning of the conflict that the global order is anchored in the principles of the UN Charter, international law and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states," reiterated Bagchi, referring to India’s position on the Ukraine war.

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