In the village Velyka Dymerka, Brovary District, Kyiv Oblast Following the Russian attack, a large-scale fire broke out on the premises of the Coca-Cola factory, according to local news sources. Footage from the area around the factory shows thick black smoke rising above the industrial estate. According to preliminary reports, the factory may have been hit a jet-powered strike drone.
- A fire is raging on the grounds of the Coca-Cola factory in Velyka Dymerka.
- Local sources report that a jet drone has arrived.
- Thick black smoke is rising above the factory.
- It is one of Coca-Cola’s largest plants in Europe.
What is known about the fire at the Coca-Cola factory
Enterprise Coca-Cola Beverages Ukraine is situated in Velyka Dymerka itself. The official address of the company’s production site is 1 Ukrainska Street.
Footage circulating following the attack shows heavy smoke in the area around the industrial buildings. Initial reports suggest a rocket-powered UAV struck the area, although the type of aircraft, the exact location of the strike and the nature of the damage are yet to be officially confirmed.
Russia has today carried out a large-scale attack on Ukraine using jet-powered drones. The Air Force reported that during the night-time attack on 3 September, the enemy launched 163 attack UAVs, with around half of the «Shaheds» being jet-powered. Hits were recorded at 15 locations.
One of Coca-Cola’s largest plants in Europe
The factory near Brovary has been in operation since 1998. Coca-Cola itself refers to it as one of the company’s largest, most modern and most powerful plants in Europe.
According to the latest figures from Coca-Cola, the following people are working at the production site 11 lines, which produce goods in PET bottles, glass bottles and metal cans. The company’s product range includes carbonated drinks, water, juices, energy drinks and ready-to-drink tea.
Among our products Coca-Cola on the Ukrainian market — Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, Bonaqua and Fuze Tea.
UkraineInvest previously reported that the company produces around 40 types of soft drinks, and it employs over 1,500 people.
Could there be any disruptions to the supply of drinks?
If, as a result of the attack, the plant is forced to significantly reduce or temporarily halt production, this could affect the supply of some Coca-Cola products in Ukraine. However, It is too early to talk about a shortage of drinks at the moment — The company has not announced any shutdowns of production lines or given any timeframe for their possible resumption.
A similar situation had already arisen at the start of the full-scale invasion. In February 2022, Coca-Cola halted production in Velyka Dymerka, and the plant was subsequently hit by Russian shelling and found itself in occupied territory. During the shutdown, the company partially made up for the shortfall in Ukrainian production by importing products from Poland and the Czech Republic.
Production was then successfully resumed as early as May 2022 — initially for Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, and subsequently for the plant’s other production lines.
The plant has already been targeted by Russian strikes
This is not the first Russian attack on the plant in Velyka Dymerka. In March 2022, the plant came under fire, resulting in damage to the combined heat and power plant.
The business was subsequently restored. Therefore, the key issue following the current attack will be the condition of production lines, warehouses and energy infrastructure factory.
Official figures from Coca-Cola, the Kyiv Regional State Administration and the State Emergency Service regarding the extent of today’s damage are expected.
