Russian drone strike damages Coca-Cola plant near Kyiv

A Russian drone strike on Thursday damaged a Coca-Cola production facility in the Brovary district of the Kyiv region, according to emergency services at the scene. Fire crews and rescue teams were dispatched to extinguish a blaze that broke out at the plant's warehouses following the attack. No injuries have been reported so far.

Video footage from the site showed thick smoke billowing from the premises as multiple fire engines and emergency vehicles worked to contain the damage. Employees were seen gathered outside the plant entrance as operations were disrupted.

The attack is part of a notable shift in Russian tactics. For much of the war, aerial assaults on Kyiv were predominantly launched under the cover of darkness, with civilians monitoring Telegram channels late into the night to assess threats. However, since last week, Moscow has deployed fast-flying, jet-powered drones in attacks that now occur both day and night.

This change has shattered the expectation that daylight brings a return to normalcy. The constant wail of air-raid sirens in Kyiv now interrupts commutes, school days, and even significant personal moments, from weddings to funerals. The relentless alerts are taking a toll on residents, with many expressing exhaustion and uncertainty about how long they can endure the sustained disruption.

The intensified air war comes as the conflict enters its fifth year, with the front line in eastern and southern Ukraine remaining largely deadlocked. In recent days, both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have exchanged threats regarding future military actions. Zelenskyy has warned foreign airlines about the dangers of Russian airspace due to Ukrainian drone operations, while Putin has dismissed these concerns and accused the Ukrainian leader of "state terrorism."