Russian drones targeted and caused damage to a Coca-Cola facility near Kyiv, as reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack took place close to the town of Brovary, east of the capital, with no reported injuries. Zelenskyy mentioned in a video address that the Coca-Cola plant was set on fire by Iranian-designed drones, referring to them as Shaheds, signaling a message to the United States due to the facility’s American ownership.
Footage from Reuters TV showed firefighting teams responding to the scene, with smoke billowing from the plant and spreading over the surrounding fields. Andy Hunder, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, confirmed that the plant’s employees were unharmed and stated that the company is cooperating with authorities to evaluate the situation and prioritize the safety of individuals.
The Coca-Cola Company’s spokesperson informed CBC News that the attacked Ukrainian plant is operated by Coca-Cola HBC, an independent bottler. Coca-Cola HBC expressed relief that all employees were safe and unharmed and is actively collaborating with authorities to assess the aftermath of the attack.
The incident occurred amidst the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated into a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, leading to a prolonged state of war between the two neighboring countries.