Russian drones have attacked and caused damage to a Coca-Cola facility near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strike, which occurred close to the town of Brovary just east of Kyiv, did not result in any injuries.
In his nightly video address, Zelenskyy mentioned that the Coca-Cola plant was set on fire by Russian drones, specifically referring to them as Shaheds, which are of Iranian origin. He highlighted the symbolism behind the attack, suggesting it was a deliberate message to the United States due to the facility’s American ownership.
Footage from Reuters TV captured the aftermath of the attack, showing firefighting teams responding to the scene with smoke billowing from the plant and drifting across the surrounding fields. Andy Hunder, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, confirmed that the plant’s employees were unharmed and emphasized that the company is cooperating with authorities to assess the situation and prioritize the safety of everyone involved.
A spokesperson for the Coca-Cola Company clarified that the targeted plant belongs to Coca-Cola HBC, an independent bottler in Ukraine. Coca-Cola HBC expressed relief that all employees were safe following the incident and reiterated their commitment to working with officials to evaluate the impact.
The attack on the Coca-Cola plant comes amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which escalated into a full-scale invasion by Russia in February 2022, leading to sustained hostilities between the two nations.