Kyiv Under Siege: Russian Strikes Disrupt Ukraine's Food Supply Chains

The ongoing Russian strikes on Kyiv are causing widespread shortages and disruptions to Ukraine's supply chains. With one eye on the shelves and another on his phone, Maksym Tarasenko has gotten used to keeping an eye out for Russian drones while shopping.

Tarasenko, a 26-year-old shopper, was unable to find his favorite fizzy drink, Coca-Cola, at his local supermarket in Kyiv. The Silpo store where he shops had also run out of potatoes, cereals, and many vegetables last month.

According to an AFP analysis of data from the ACLED conflict monitor up to September 18, there have been three times as many airstrikes on civilian warehouses in the Kyiv region than in the first four years of Russia's invasion in February 2022. Two-thirds of these attacks occurred since August.

Ukraine's food minister, Taras Vysotskyi, has warned that the wave of attacks has severely disrupted the supply chains used by major retailers, which are based on centralised logistics platforms. He called for brands to decentralise their logistics and focus on short-term supply chains using smaller warehouses or those located in neighboring countries.