russian drones destroy pasta factory in Kharkiv region

On October 28, russian Shahed-type drones attacked the Strilets company, a pasta producer located in the Chuhuiv district of Kharkiv region in Eastern Ukraine. The factory and its warehouse with finished products were completely destroyed, the factory’s director, Oleksii Starikov, told Suspilne outlet.

“We were engaged in pasta production. It’s a civilian enterprise — there were no military facilities here. We produced pasta — as you can see, the warehouse and everything in it contained only pasta and flour. Everything has been destroyed, the enterprise is destroyed, and it’s impossible to continue working,” said the company’s head.

According to him, employees were present at the facility at the time of the attack but managed to evacuate to a shelter in time. The company is now beginning to assess the damage before deciding whether recovery is possible.

The company’s history dates back to 1997, when a small production facility was established near the town of Chuhuiv. In 2000, the Strilets company was founded under the brand “Zodiak.” Between 2018 and 2021, it grew rapidly and became one of Ukraine’s top five pasta producers. Its products were available in major Ukrainian retail chains such as METRO Cash & Carry and ATB. The factory also produced pasta for brands including Korolivskyi Smak, Sto Pudiv, Khutorok, the regional producer Chuhuiv-Produkt, and others.

With the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, the company suspended operations. In 2023, all its assets, including the trademark, were acquired by the Ukrmaslotrade Group.

Before the russian attack on October 28, the company’s facilities could produce 2,000–2,500 tons of pasta per month. Its products were sold under three brands: Zodiak, PASTA NIZZA, and Zodiak Extra.