Feb 22 β€’ 16:10 UTC πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡¦ Ukraine Kyiv Independent

Russia hits American sweets factory with missile in northeastern Ukraine

A missile strike by Russia has damaged an American sweets factory in northeastern Ukraine, prompting strong condemnation from Ukrainian officials.

On February 21, Russia targeted a sweets factory in Trostianets, Sumy Oblast, owned by the American multinational company Mondelez, according to Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The missile strike, which has raised international concern, comes amid ongoing tensions in the region where Russia has been known to target infrastructure critical to both local economies and foreign investments. The Mondelez factory has a long-standing presence in Ukraine, having operated since the 1990s and producing popular products such as Oreo and Milka.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko highlighted the significance of the attack, stating that such strikes against facilities owned by American companies are deliberate actions by Russia. She noted that Mondelez has made substantial investments in the region, amounting to over $250 million, which underscores the factory's economic importance to Ukraine. Svyrydenko also shared a video showing the factory heavily damaged, although the exact cost of repairs and the extent of the damage are yet to be determined.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, represented by President Andy Hunder, expressed alarm over the targeted attacks on foreign investments and infrastructure, underlining the potential ramifications for international businesses operating in Ukraine. This incident serves as another example of the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict, as it highlights the risks posed to foreign investments in the country amidst escalating hostilities and military actions from Russia.

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