The Russian shelling of the BAT Ukraine factory in Pryluky on September 7 caused a halt in tobacco product manufacturing at the enterprise. In an interview with RBC-Ukraine, company CEO Oksana Serdyuk discussed the extensive damages, the safety measures that saved employees' lives, and the transition to imports to meet demand on the Ukrainian market.
Mitigating Attack Consequences and Assessing Damage
Immediately following the air raid alert, the team promptly moved to shelters, preventing fatalities and severe injuries. The coordinated actions of employees, emergency services, and law enforcement quickly localized the fire on the enterprise's premises.
Material damages to the factory are assessed as significant, and production lines have been temporarily suspended. Expert groups are currently conducting engineering and technical assessments to accurately determine the scale of destruction and formulate a future recovery plan.
Transitioning to Imports and Combating the Illicit Market
To prevent a shortage of legal products and curb the expansion of the shadow market, the company engaged the international capacities of the BAT Group. Ukrainian consumer demand has been promptly redirected to supplies from the concern's European factories.
The enterprise management is also adapting the workforce to new labor realities. This involves reviewing functional workloads, agreeing on alternative employment formats, and redistributing current tasks.
Multi-Tiered Employee Safety System
The personnel protection framework at BAT Ukraine encompasses three key areas: physical safety, material-medical support, and psychological assistance. Shelters and clear response protocols are complemented by life and health insurance covering war risks.
The company also provided workers with charging stations to overcome energy crises and introduced the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). This initiative offers 24/7 access to psychological, legal, and expert consultations for employees and their families.
Tobacco Industry Outlook and Corporate Environment Development
The attack on the Pryluky enterprise highlighted the vulnerability of large industrial infrastructure amid ongoing combat operations. Nevertheless, the company continues to uphold the Truly Inclusive philosophy, developing a barrier-free environment and adapting workplaces to employee needs.
Supply stability through European imports maintains market positions, though further restoration of domestic production depends on regional security and engineering assessments.
