Kernel halts all oil extraction plants in Ukraine due to shelling

Kernel, a major agricultural holding in Ukraine, has announced the complete suspension of operations at all of its oil extraction plants. The decision comes in the wake of massive Russian drone strikes and targeted attacks on the production facilities of Ukraine's processing industry over the past 24 hours.

According to the company's press service, enemy strikes caused significant damage to production buildings, technological equipment, and storage tanks. Kernel is known for producing well-known sunflower oil brands in Ukraine, including Shchedry Dar, Stozhar, and Chumak.

The company emphasized that oil extraction is a continuous technological cycle characterized by heightened fire hazards. A direct hit on operating equipment poses a direct threat of a massive fire and puts workers' lives in extreme danger. For this reason, management decided on a complete technological shutdown of all plants.

Currently, standard safety protocols regarding emergency shutdowns have been successfully executed at all Kernel facilities, and all personnel have been moved to safe conditions. In addition, the company has temporarily halted all purchases of sunflower seeds for processing.

Despite the suspension of processing operations, Kernel maintains full operational and financial stability. The company continues to ship existing product reserves from warehouses and fully honors all previously undertaken commitments to Ukrainian farmers and partners. Previously, Kernel's port assets in Chornomorsk also suffered severe damage from massive attacks.