On 23 August, Russian troops attacked a factory belonging to the American corporation Mondelēz International in Trostyanets, Sumy Oblast. According to updated information from the regional prosecutor’s office, five employees were injured; there were no fatalities. The factory’s production and administrative buildings were damaged; these facilities manufacture products under the Milka, Oreo, «Barni», Belvita and other brands.
Briefly about the main points
- A fire broke out at the factory following the attack.
- Two men and three women were injured.
- Following the inspection, it was reported that three hits had been recorded.
- The factory was rebuilt following the damage caused during the 2022 occupation.
- The Foreign Ministry has called for a strengthening of air defence capabilities and sanctions against Russia.
A fire broke out following the strike; the circumstances of the strikes are being investigated
Initial reports indicated that two Russian drones had struck the area. Following an inspection of the site, a Suspilne correspondent reported that three strikes had been recorded. The exact circumstances of the attack are still being established.
Those injured include men born in 1963 and 1976, and women born in 1985, 1983 and 1973. Yuriy Bova, head of the Trostyanets community, said that the injuries were mostly minor cuts and scrapes.
Rescue workers are dealing with the aftermath of the blast and inspecting the damaged structures at the plant.
The company operates a full production cycle for chocolate products
The Trostyanets factory is owned by Mondelēz International It has been in operation since 1994 and is one of the major food industry enterprises in the Sumy region. The company carries out the entire production cycle here — from the processing of cocoa beans to the packaging of finished products.
The factory produces, amongst other things, «Korona» chocolate, as well as biscuits and sponge cakes. Part of the range is sold in Ukraine, whilst the rest is exported. According to the local authority, over 580 employees have returned to work following the resumption of operations.
The factory was rebuilt after the occupation and has already been attacked this year
During the Russian occupation of Trostyanets in 2022, the factory’s production facilities sustained significant damage. The company subsequently fully restored the factory: chocolate production was partially resumed in 2023, and Oreo production was resumed in May 2024 following the reconstruction.
According to the Trostyanets local authority, around 20 million dollars has been allocated for reconstruction. In February and June 2026, Russian troops had already attacked the Mondelez site; during the June attack, a drone struck the factory grounds, injuring two people.
Sibiga called for a strengthening of air defence and increased sanctions pressure on Moscow
Minister of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sibiga, in response to a blow to an American corporation’s business, stated that Russia’s systematic attacks on American businesses in Ukraine are directly harming US economic interests in Europe.
The minister called for increased military support for Ukraine, particularly in the area of air defence, as well as for greater pressure on Moscow through sanctions.
