Ukraine’s Oldest McDonald’s Vows to Rebuild After Russian Missile Strike
January 19, 2025
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McDonald’s will “definitely restore” its oldest branch in Ukraine, the fast-food company has said, after a Russian missile strike damaged the restaurant in the Ukrainian capital.
Why It Matters
Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s cities and infrastructure, including with ballistic missiles, throughout the nearly three years of war. With uncertainty hanging over Kyiv about what incoming President Donald Trump’s second term in office will mean for Ukraine—not least for its air defense supplies from the U. S.—both sides are jostling for an advantage in possible ceasefire talks in coming weeks.
A worker cleans debris outside the damaged McDonald’s restaurant in an overnight Russian missile strike, on January 18, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. McDonald’s will “definitely restore” its oldest branch in Ukraine, the fast food company… A worker cleans debris outside the damaged McDonald’s restaurant in an overnight Russian missile strike, on January 18, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. McDonald’s will “definitely restore” its oldest branch in Ukraine, the fast food company has said.
Carl Court/Getty Images
What To Know
McDonald’s Ukraine said on Saturday that its restaurant near the Lukianivska metro station, in central Kyiv, was “damaged.” The statement did not specify how much damage the restaurant had sustained, but photos from the scene show that it is extensive.
The fast food company said the branch had been open since 1997, and is “the first restaurant of our chain in Ukraine.” None of the employees of the branch was injured, McDonald’s Ukraine said, adding that everyone working at the restaurant had reached bomb shelters in time.
“Our team is currently working to eliminate the consequences of the shelling and we will definitely restore our restaurant in Lukianivska,” the company said.
Ukraine’s air force said on Saturday that Russia had launched 39 drones and four short-range ballistic missiles at Ukraine overnight. Moscow fired four Iskander-M and North Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles, the air force said. Two of these missiles were shot down over Kyiv, the air force added.
Fragments of the destroyed ballistic missiles fell on the Shevchenkivskyi district of Kyiv, killing an unspecified number of people, the air force said. The Lukianivska branch of McDonald’s sits in the middle of the district of the capital.
Regional authorities in Kyiv said two men, aged 25 and 43, and a 41-year-old woman had been killed, with another three people injured in the Shevchenkivskyi district after the Russian attack.
Kyiv authorities said a building was “partially destroyed,” and a “catering facility,” a business center, a shopping complex, a shop and 10 cards were hit. The entrance and exit to the Lukianivska metro station were damaged, local authorities said.
Kyiv’s regional military administration said debris had also fallen over the Desnyanskyi district, northeast of the city center.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said on Saturday it had attacked Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex facilities,” including the Luch Design Bureau. The Ukrainian weapons developer is headquartered in Kyiv. “All facilities were hit,” Moscow said.
Who Said What
McDonald’s Ukraine said in a post to X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: “Today, during an air attack on Kyiv, the McDonald’s restaurant near Lukianivska metro station was damaged. It has been operating since 1997 and is the first restaurant of our chain in Ukraine.
“Our employees were able to evacuate to shelters in time thanks to the safety protocols that are strictly followed by all McDonald’s in Ukraine. None of the McDonald’s employees or our security guard were injured, and that is the main thing.”
Ukraine’s air force said on Saturday: “Unfortunately, as a result of the enemy’s attack on Kyiv, people were killed as the downed ballistic missiles landed in the Shevchenkivskyi district of the city. The company’s production building was partially destroyed, and houses, the entrance to the subway, cars and the main water supply system were damaged.”
What Happens Next
One day away from President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, much is uncertain about the war as it approaches the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Rebuilding will continue across Ukraine, but Moscow will almost certainly continue its destructive campaign of missile strikes.
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