On the night of 25 May 2025, Russian drones struck the agricultural enterprise TOV “Agrico Ukraine,” one of Ukraine’s leading suppliers of seed potatoes. The attack destroyed critical infrastructure, including a potato storage facility, a grading area, and essential equipment, causing damages exceeding 50 million UAH, EastFruit informs. Despite the devastation, the spirit of the company and its founder, Mykola Gordiychuk, remains unbroken.
Details of the Attack
According to Mykola Gordiychuk, director of TOV “Agrico Ukraine” and president of the Ukrainian Association of Potato Producers, Russian drones targeted the company’s farm in Chernihiv Oblast. The attack resulted in the destruction of:
- A potato storage facility housing high-quality seed material.
- A grading area essential for preparing produce for sale.
- Agricultural machinery, including tractors and sprayers.
- Buildings that were either completely destroyed or burned to the ground.
In his social media post, Mykola Gordiychuk stated:
“Last night, our farm was hit by Russian drones. Our potato storage, grading area, and vital infrastructure were burned to the ground. Tractors and sprayers destroyed. Machinery, charred. Buildings, flattened.”
Most importantly, no employees were harmed during the attack, for which Gordiychuk expressed profound gratitude: “But most importantly—no one was hurt. We are thankful for that.”
Photo: Всеукраїнська аграрна рада
An Attack on Food Security
This strike was not directed at military infrastructure. As Mykola Gordiychuk emphasized, it was a deliberate attack on Ukraine’s food security, its farmers, and its civilian population:
“This wasn’t a strike on military infrastructure. This was an attack on food. On farmers. On civilians.”
TOV “Agrico Ukraine” plays a pivotal role in supplying Ukrainian farmers with seed potatoes, holding over 50% of the market share. The destruction of its storage facility threatens a shortage of quality seed material, which could impact crop yields and food security in Ukraine. Gordiychuk has previously warned of a seed potato deficit that could persist for up to three years due to reduced planting areas and climatic challenges. This attack exacerbates the issue, as the destroyed infrastructure was critical to the industry.
Read also: Russia’s Vegetable Reserves Depleted, Price of Ukrainian Borscht Bites
Resilience and Plans for Recovery
Despite the significant losses, Mykola Gordiychuk stressed that Russian aggression will not break the company’s resolve or that of its workers. In his post, he declared:
“Russia is trying to break the spirit of those who grow, feed, and build. But let me be very clear: They can burn our buildings, but they will never burn our will. We will rebuild. We will keep farming. We will keep feeding people. We will keep fighting for our freedom!”
These words reflect not only the company’s stance but also the broader resilience of Ukrainian farmers who continue to work for the benefit of the country despite the war. Gordiychuk added:
“This land has seen destruction before, and it has always risen. We stand strong—for our families, for our workers, and for Ukraine.”
The Company’s History and Significance
Founded in 2007, TOV “Agrico Ukraine” is the representative of the Dutch cooperative Agrico and specializes in the cultivation and import of high-quality seed potatoes. The company has registered at least six innovative potato varieties in Ukraine, including “Paradizo” and “Napoleon,” and conducts experiments with elite varieties at the research site of TOV “AF Andriivske” in Chernihiv Oblast. Additionally, “Agrico Ukraine” provides consulting services to farmers, helping to improve yields and potato quality.
During the war, the company demonstrated social responsibility by donating dozens of tons of seed potatoes to support Ukrainians in 2022. It also actively advocates for the modernization of potato farming, the consolidation of producers, and the development of storage infrastructure to stabilize the market.
Consequences and Call for Support
The destruction of TOV “Agrico Ukraine’s” storage facility is not only a loss for the company but also a blow to Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Rebuilding the infrastructure will require significant resources and time, especially amid ongoing conflict. Mykola Gordiychuk has called for solidarity and support, emphasizing that the company will continue working to ensure Ukraine’s food security.
This incident underscores the urgent need to protect agricultural infrastructure from Russian attacks and to establish support mechanisms for farmers affected by aggression.
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