Russian drones have targeted and caused damage to a Coca-Cola facility near Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, as confirmed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The incident occurred in the vicinity of Brovary, east of Kyiv, with no reported injuries. Zelenskyy remarked in a video address that the plant was set on fire by Iranian-designed drones, emphasizing the symbolism of targeting an American-owned facility. The attack was perceived as a deliberate message from Russia to the United States.
Images captured by Reuters TV showed firefighters responding to the scene as smoke billowed from the plant and spread across the surrounding fields. Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, assured that the plant’s employees were unharmed and that efforts were underway to evaluate the situation and ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
A spokesperson representing Coca-Cola HBC, the independent bottler that owns the Ukrainian plant, confirmed the safety of all employees following the attack. The company expressed gratitude for the well-being of its workforce and stated its collaboration with authorities to address the aftermath of the incident.
The assault on the Coca-Cola plant comes amidst 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.