Air attack destroys Akkerman Distillery in Ukraine
A large airstrike on the night of September 27-28 has destroyed the Akkerman Distillery, which produces Azinauri brandy in the Odessa region of southern Ukraine.
The airstrike caused significant destruction to the Global Beverage Trade (GBT) distillery’s production facilities, including the bottling lines and warehouses for finished products and accessories.
At the time of the strike, more than 50 people were working the night shift and were guided to a shelter. No human casualties have been reported.
The strike has only impacted the distillery’s brandy production, while wine production remains unaffected.
A final assessment of the damage and losses is currently underway. According to the available information, the destruction affects an area of 3,640 square metres, with 1,500 square metres of glazing damaged, and approximately 250,000 bottles of brandy lost.
GBT in Ukraine reports that it has secured sufficient product stocks to guarantee an uninterrupted supply as soon as possible. Additionally, the company has initiated a series of measures to resume production, which include searching for alternative production facilities.
The Ukrainian office of GBT said: “We have secured product stocks, so Aznauri will continue to be available for you. We are already working to restore production and believe we will return even stronger.”
Aznauri brandy has experienced ‘significant’ growth in recent years. In 2024, its sales increased by 45.5%, totalling 1.6 million nine-litre cases. The brandy is produced for the Ukrainian and export markets.
Akkerman Distillery is regarded as one of the largest wine and brandy producers in Ukraine, with an annual production capacity exceeding 50m bottles. The company employs nearly 400 employees.
As one of the largest taxpayers in the country, the distillery contributed nearly US$20m to the state budget in taxes during the first eight months of 2025.
As such, the destruction of the distillery is said to affect not only the wine and brandy industry but also the overall economy of Ukraine.
In light of these extremely challenging circumstances, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to the Ukrainian market by maintaining jobs, paying taxes, and continuing to support the national economy.
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