Russian drones targeted and caused damage to a Coca-Cola facility near Kyiv, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strike occurred close to the town of Brovary, east of the capital, with no reported injuries. Zelenskyy, in his nightly address, mentioned that the drone attack ignited a fire at the Coca-Cola plant, emphasizing the significance of the American connection to the facility.
The incident was described as a deliberate message from Russia to the United States, given the American ownership of the plant. Footage from Reuters TV captured firefighting teams responding to the scene, with smoke billowing from the plant and spreading across nearby fields. Andy Hunder, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, confirmed that the plant’s employees were unharmed and that efforts were underway to evaluate the situation and ensure the well-being of all individuals involved.
A spokesperson for Coca-Cola Company revealed that the targeted plant in Ukraine is operated by Coca-Cola HBC, an independent bottler. Coca-Cola HBC expressed relief that all staff members were safe and unharmed, stating their collaboration with authorities to manage the aftermath of the attack.
The assault on the Coca-Cola plant comes amidst Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, which commenced in February 2022, plunging the two countries into a prolonged state of conflict.
