US Businesses in Ukraine Targeted by Russian Strikes Amid White House Silence

Ukrainian rescuers were seen working at a Coca-Cola factory in the Kyiv region that was hit by a Russian strike on September 3, 2026, amidst the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. While President Donald Trump and his administration have intensified pressure on Ukraine to cease striking Russian refineries, citing potential harm to American consumers, they have remained notably silent regarding recent Russian attacks on U.S. businesses operating within Ukraine. Russia has, over the past several months, escalated its assaults on facilities linked to American corporations, as well as civilian infrastructure across Ukraine.

According to Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Russian missiles and drones have inflicted damage on facilities belonging to prominent American brands such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, McDonald's, and Oreo. Hunder described the current situation to CNN as unprecedented, stating, "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." He emphasized the urgent need for these attacks to cease, highlighting that "these are American interests, American money, American investors that are being hit and are being targeted."

The article includes an image of firefighters at a McDonald's-affiliated warehouse struck by a Russian drone in Kyiv on September 25, 2026. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on a Russian drone strike against a Coca-Cola factory outside Kyiv in early September, calling it a "clear signal" to the U.S. He remarked, "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," referring to the Iranian-designed drones. Zelensky added, "This is a clear signal from Russia to America. The Russians cannot possibly be unaware that this is an American enterprise." Later that month, Zelensky reported that an "attack drone" destroyed a warehouse used by McDonald's. McDonald's Ukraine confirmed the damage to a warehouse operated by a logistics partner in the Kyiv region on September 25, 2026. Zelensky further noted, "An attack drone – against ordinary food products. The Russians are constantly expanding their escalation operation: American and other businesses, data centers, internet providers – for Russia, ordinary life in and of itself is simply a target." Consequently, McDonald's Ukraine announced a reduced menu due to the damage.

PepsiCo also acknowledged in late August that a production facility in the Mykolaiv region sustained damage, though no casualties were reported. A former senior State Department official told CNN that there is no unified stance among U.S. businesses on how publicly they wish to address being targeted, with some preferring to remain discreet while others desire attention drawn to the attacks. Hunder echoed this sentiment, noting that while some businesses want the issue raised, others are proceeding with extreme caution. Nevertheless, several Democratic U.S. lawmakers have publicly urged the White House to increase efforts to protect American businesses in Ukraine and to condemn Moscow's actions. Ukraine has pointed to these attacks as further justification for enhanced defense support to adequately safeguard American companies on the ground. The American Chamber of Commerce engages with visiting U.S. lawmakers from both parties in Kyiv, and Hunder mentioned they have requested these representatives raise the matter with the White House.

The article also features an image of a damaged McDonald's restaurant facade in Kyiv on May 27, 2026. It recalls President Donald Trump's public statement in August 2025 regarding a Russian strike on a U.S. electronics factory, where he stated he had expressed his displeasure to Russian President Vladimir Putin. A White House official conveyed that Trump's priority is to "stop the war entirely so the senseless killing ends" and that the administration is committed to a "constructive role in ending the war between Russia and Ukraine," expressing optimism for a peace deal. The official asserted that the U.S. is uniquely positioned to "play a constructive role in speaking to both sides in working towards bringing the war to an end."

Despite these statements, the Trump administration's relative lack of public condemnation for the strikes on U.S. businesses contrasts with its admonishments to the Ukrainian government concerning strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. In February, CNN reported that the administration had warned Kyiv that its strikes on a Russian Black Sea oil facility late the previous year had negatively impacted U.S. investments in Kazakhstan. Recently, Trump has attributed rising fuel prices, exacerbated by the U.S.-Iran war, to Ukraine's strikes on Russian diesel facilities. Last Friday, he announced a deal to waive sanctions and purchase diesel from Russia, bypassing U.S. law. Sources informed CNN that the U.S. has also threatened to limit intelligence sharing and munitions for Ukraine if Kyiv does not halt these strikes.

Hunder expressed his difficulty in comprehending the administration's muted response, especially given its pro-business stance. "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," he stated. A former senior State Department official observed that a significant number of individuals in "official Washington" believe that only Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner should address Ukraine-related matters, and others should refrain from commenting. Consequently, drawing attention to the attacks on U.S. businesses has proven challenging. The official added that expecting a clear rationale for the U.S. silence on these attacks is unrealistic. Hunder confirmed that the American Chamber of Commerce reached out to Witkoff and Kushner last month seeking a meeting to provide an update on U.S. businesses in Ukraine, including recent attacks, but received no response.