In the Odesa region, Russia wiped out the production facilities of a well-known footwear giant
20 August 20:51
ANALYSIS
Russian troops continue to cynically destroy civilian infrastructure and the Ukrainian economy. As a result of a nighttime attack by “Shahed”-type kamikaze drones in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, in the Odesa region, the well-known “Belsta” home footwear factory suffered extensive damage, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Although the factory was virtually reduced to rubble, a miracle occurred: because the workers took shelter in time, no one was injured.
The Extent of the Damage: What Remains After the Attack
The factory’s owner, Alla Ginak, shared harrowing images of the aftermath of the nighttime strike. According to her, the factory—which had been built up over decades and provided jobs for hundreds of people (mostly women)—suffered colossal losses. The substation, along with all the cables and the cafeteria building, was completely burned down, and the embroidery workshop —with its unique and expensive equipment—was completely destroyed; the facility cannot be restored. Roofs, ventilation systems, and hundreds of windows across the entire factory grounds were damaged. Most of the solar panels, installed just a year ago, were destroyed.
The fire also destroyed trees along the factory and partially charred a patriotic mural depicting the factory.
“We will not restore this part of the mural. Let it remain as it is. It will always remind us of that night, of the attack and the fire that raged here for hours,” said Alla Ginak.
Despite the horrific destruction, the owners’ resolve and the team’s inner strength are impressive. The greatest relief for management was that there were no casualties.
“Everything else can be restored. Walls can be rebuilt. Windows can be replaced. Equipment can be purchased. But human life cannot be brought back. ‘Belsta’ is not walls, not machines, and not equipment. ‘Belsta’ is people,” she emphasized.
The company promises to resume operations, rebuild the workshops, and bring people back to their jobs.
A Wave of Support: How Each of Us Can Help
The tragedy that befell the Ukrainian manufacturer has moved both Ukrainians and celebrities. In particular, the well-known artist Natalia Mogilevskaya publicly supported her friend and called on Ukrainians to support the brand by spending their hryvnias there.
“A rocket [drone] hit my friend’s factory. Cozy house shoes. This is a place she’s been building for years… I know my friend—she won’t give up. And I ask you: if you’ve ever looked at her shoes and thought ‘later,’ now is the time. Every purchase is an opportunity to rebuild; it’s support for Ukrainian manufacturing,” the singer wrote in her message.
You can destroy buildings and burn equipment, but it’s impossible to break the will of Ukrainians to live and work on their own land. “Belsta” will definitely stand strong, the company concludes.
What is known about the company “Belsta”?
As early as late July 2026, the company entered a new phase of its development: the enterprise came under the full control of new management, which set out to scale up and strengthen the brand’s position—a brand that had demonstrated stable profits even during a full-scale war.
According to data from the OpenDataBot analytics system, on July 30, 2026, Alla Ginak took over as CEO, replacing Mikhail Baranov. Moreover, the changes affected not only management but also the ownership structure. A week earlier, on July 23, Alla Ginak became the sole founder and ultimate beneficiary of the company, concentrating 100% of the authorized capital—which amounts to over 109 million hryvnias—in her hands.
Despite the fact that the legal entity is registered in an area of potential hostilities, “Belsta” demonstrates remarkable economic resilience. The company is included in the so-called “white list” of taxpayers and remains a conscientious VAT payer under the general taxation system.
The company’s financial indicators point to steady growth. While the factory’s revenue dipped slightly in 2024, by 2025 the company had closed the year with revenue of over 321 million hryvnias—an increase of nearly 28% compared to the previous period. Net profit amounted to over 13 million hryvnias.
The pace has not slowed this year either: in just the first two quarters of 2026, the company generated over 146 million hryvnias in revenue, with a net profit of 5.3 million.
The factory also remains one of the region’s key employers. As of mid-2026, the company employed 511 people. It is also worth noting the positive trend in wages: according to official data, the average pre-tax salary in 2025 rose to 21,696 hryvnias, which significantly exceeds the figures from previous years.
Given the high liquidity of its assets and stable profit growth, Belsta LLC has every chance not only to maintain its leading position in the domestic light industry market but also to expand its capabilities even amid the challenging realities of wartime.
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