Russian drone strike destroys warehouse of Ukraine's largest ice cream maker in Zhytomyr

A Russian drone attack on 5 September completely destroyed a refrigerated warehouse belonging to the company Rud in Zhytomyr, the country's largest ice cream manufacturer. The company's head of legal affairs, Olha Blazhkevych, confirmed the damage in comments to the outlet NV Biznes.

According to Blazhkevych, an enemy drone struck the cold-storage warehouse building, which also housed administrative and utility rooms, on the southeastern outskirts of the city at around 16:05. The total area of destruction amounts to 4,350 square meters. At the time of the strike, the premises contained finished products, loading equipment and other property.

About the company

Rud is Ukraine's largest ice cream producer and the leader of the national frozen food market, holding roughly a 30% market share. The company operates its own production complex in Zhytomyr, which processes more than 35,000 tonnes of milk annually.

The brand's products are sold at 75,000 retail outlets across Ukraine and exported to 36 countries worldwide, including major international chains such as Lidl, Kaufland, Auchan and Metro. Besides ice cream, the company produces frozen vegetables, berries, dough and semi-finished products.

The company's co-owners are Petro Rud, his daughter Oksana Vivsyk, and her husband Serhiy Vivsyk.