Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Oreo: Russia Also Targeting US Brands in Ukraine

Critics have pointed out that while the Russian military has been launching drone and missile attacks targeting facilities of major U.S. companies in Ukraine, the U.S. administration under Donald Trump has maintained silence.

CNN reported on the 14th local time that over the past few months, Russia has significantly ramped up its attacks not only on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine but also on facilities associated with major U.S. corporations.

Andy Hunder, president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, said in an interview with CNN, "Russian missiles and drones have directly struck facilities of iconic U.S. brands such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo (which produces Pepsi, Gatorade, etc.), McDonald's, and Oreo." He added, "There have been attempts to check U.S. companies in the past, but direct attacks on this scale over the past few months are a first."

In fact, in early September, a Coca-Cola plant near the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv was destroyed by a Russian drone attack, and on September 25, a McDonald's logistics warehouse in the Kyiv region was hit by a drone attack, leading to reduced operations at some stores.

PepsiCo also revealed that its production facility in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv suffered damage last August.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized via social media and other channels last month, "Russia is expanding its provocations by targeting U.S. companies, data centers, and internet service providers," adding, "Hitting American corporate assets like the Coca-Cola plant and food warehouses is a clear signal directed at the United States."

Despite U.S. companies and capital suffering direct damage, the Trump administration has not issued an official condemnation.

CNN pointed out that this contrasts with the Trump administration's strong pressure on Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian oil refineries, citing reasons such as rising fuel prices within the U.S.

Hunder criticized, "It is American capital and investors that are being attacked," adding, "It is difficult to understand why the government is not speaking out to protect U.S. companies even though a foreign military is attacking them."

Regarding this, a White House official stated, "President Trump wants the conflict to end completely so that senseless bloodshed can be resolved," and "As the only country capable of communicating with both sides to end the war, the U.S. will continue to play a constructive role in bringing about a peace agreement."

A former senior U.S. State Department official conveyed that there is a strong perception in Washington political circles that the only figures capable of handling the Ukraine issue are Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, noting an atmosphere where individuals other than these two are reluctant to get involved.

Hunder stated that the American Chamber of Commerce requested a meeting with Special Envoy Witkoff and Kushner last month to explain the situation of U.S. companies in Ukraine and the recent attack damages, but received no response.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.