Sybiha: Russia deliberately targets US businesses in Ukraine

Russia is systematically and deliberately targeting U.S. businesses in Ukraine, Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha said after Russian forces struck an American-owned sunflower processing plant in the city of Dnipro. 

“This attack was not a mistake — it was deliberate, as the Russians attempted to strike this facility multiple times,” Sybiha said.

Russian drones struck a plant owned by St. Louis-based agribusiness Bungein Dnipro on Jan. 5, spilling 300 tons of sunflower oil onto the city’s streets.

“Russia has been targeting American businesses in Ukraine systemically,” Sybiha said. “Russian strikes last year damaged Boeing offices in Kyiv, a major American-owned electronics manufacturer in Zakarpattia, and other facilities.”

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, around half of the member companies of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine have reported damage to or destruction of their facilities, Sybiha added.

“Putin’s attacks on American businesses and American interests in Ukraine show his complete disregard for peace efforts led by President Donald Trump,” Sybiha said. “This is why it is so urgent to advance the peace process — and Ukraine is ready to move it forward — as well as to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and increase sanctions pressure.”

Moscow must pay a high price for ignoring Ukraine’s constructive steps toward peace, and the Kremlin must face real consequences for its obstinacy, Sybiha added.