A claim is being widely shared on platform X regarding Russia-India relations. It is being shared that Russia refused to back India against Pakistan and that Moscow declined to supply bombers to New Delhi.
A Pakistan-based account named Mansur Ahmed Qureshi, who shared the claim that “Russia didn’t back India against Pakistan. No bombers. No loud support. Just silence and deeper ties with China. Delhi watches as Moscow drifts East.” The user has been identified as a frequent fake news peddler by the DFRAC Team.
Additionally, multiple other users were also found who shared a similar claim, which can be viewed here and here.
Fact Check
Upon investigation, we found the claim to be misleading. According to a report by CNN, in 2023, it was officially acknowledged by the Indian Air Force that Russia was unable to fulfill certain arms delivery commitments due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. An IAF representative told a parliamentary committee that a “major delivery” from Moscow would not take place, directly attributing the delay to the conflict. This development raised concerns about India’s reliance on Russia, its largest defense supplier, and signaled a potential strain in the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries.
However, more recent developments in 2025 indicate that the India-Russia defense relationship remains active, despite previous supply disruptions. In February 2025, Russia offered to manufacture its fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Sukhoi Su-57, in India for the Indian Air Force. The proposal was confirmed by both Russian and Indian officials and is seen as an effort by Moscow to reassert its role as a key defense partner to New Delhi. Although Russia’s export capacity has been impacted by the Ukraine war, this new offer suggests that Moscow is seeking to deepen defense ties with India through joint production and technology transfer.
Furthermore, the allegation that Russia refused to support India against Pakistan or signed an SCO statement favoring Pakistan is false. No such statement was issued following the June 26 SCO defence ministers’ meeting, and no credible media or official source has reported any such development.
Conclusion
Thus, from the fact check, it is clear that there is no evidence that Russia refused military support to India or sided with Pakistan. In 2025, Russia offered to manufacture its Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet in India, reaffirming its commitment to defense ties with New Delhi.
