US businesses in Ukraine hit by Russian strikes amid White House silence

Russian military strikes have damaged facilities belonging to major American corporations in Ukraine, including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, McDonald’s, and Oreo. While the Trump administration has publicly pressured Ukraine to halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, it has remained largely silent on these recent strikes against US-linked businesses.

Strikes on American Facilities

According to Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, the frequency and nature of the attacks have escalated significantly. "This is a direct hit with drones and missiles, and they keep hitting them. It’s sending a message that they’re targeting American business. We’re not seeing any response from the White House," Hunder said.

In early September, a Russian drone struck a Coca-Cola factory outside Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attack as a "clear signal" to the United States. "Today, the Russians struck a Coca-Cola plant with a drone. Coca-Cola has become such an enemy to them that they’re burning it down with their Shaheds," Zelensky said in a video address on September 3, referring to Iranian-designed drones. He added, "The Russians cannot possibly be unaware that this is an American enterprise."

Later that month, on September 25, a Russian drone damaged a warehouse in the Kyiv region operated by a logistics partner for McDonald’s. McDonald’s Ukraine confirmed the damage in a statement, noting that the incident led to a reduced menu at its restaurants. PepsiCo also acknowledged in late August that a production facility in the Mykolaiv region was damaged, though no casualties were reported.

Administration Response and Contrast

The lack of public condemnation from the White House regarding these strikes contrasts with its recent actions concerning Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. President Donald Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian diesel facilities for rising fuel prices, which sources note have also been driven up by the US-Iran war. On October 9, Trump announced a deal to waive sanctions and purchase diesel from Russia, a move described by CNN as being in defiance of US law.

A White House official stated that Trump "wants the war to stop entirely so the senseless killing ends." The official added, "The president and his team remain committed to continuing to play a constructive role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, and he remains optimistic that we’ll ultimately get a peace deal done."

However, Hunder expressed confusion over the administration's stance, particularly given its pro-business rhetoric. "Any company, any business, wants to have some sort of protection. You would expect your government to stand up in your corner and fight the fight with you, especially if it’s a foreign military that is attacking the American companies," Hunder said. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce sent a request for a meeting with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner last month but received no response.

Business and Political Reactions

Reactions among US businesses operating in Ukraine vary. A former senior State Department official told CNN that there is no consensus on how openly companies should discuss the attacks. "Some businesses do want us to raise this," Hunder said, but others "are treading very carefully."

Several Democratic lawmakers have publicly called on the White House to protect American businesses and condemn Moscow’s actions. Ukraine has highlighted these attacks as a reason to increase defense support to better shield American companies on the ground. The Chamber of Commerce has asked visiting US lawmakers from both parties to raise the issue with the White House.

The former State Department official suggested that internal dynamics in Washington may contribute to the silence, noting that some officials believe only Witkoff and Kushner should speak on Ukraine matters. "The idea that you would get a rationale back" on why the US was silent about the attacks "is not something that people can expect," the official said.

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Sources

• cnn.com: Trump admin silent as Russia hits American businesses with ‘drones and missiles’ in Ukraine | CNN Politics
• newscord.org: Russia Hits American Businesses With Drones And Missiles, Zelensky Says White House Stays Silent: how 11 outlets framed it | NewsCord
• mezha.net: Trump administration has not publicly condemned Russian strikes on US businesses in Ukraine | Межа

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.