Russia launched major attacks on Ukraine overnight, destroying factory buildings and forcing companies to stop production across the country. Thousands of workers in manufacturing plants, steel mills, and car factories have lost their jobs or been forced to leave their cities. Ukraine's largest industrial regions in the east have been hit hardest.
Ukraine's economy depends heavily on factories and manufacturing. These attacks target the buildings where Ukrainians work and the roads they use to get there. When factories close, workers have no paychecks and families run out of money for food and rent.
Factory workers and their families are leaving Eastern Ukraine to find safety in western cities or neighboring countries like Poland and Romania. Some companies are trying to move their operations to safer areas, but many workers cannot follow because travel is dangerous. People who lose factory jobs often struggle to find new work quickly, especially during wartime when many businesses are closed.
Ukrainian government officials say they are working to protect industrial areas and help displaced workers find new jobs. International organizations are sending aid to help families who lost income. Companies that moved operations say they hope to return to Ukraine once attacks stop, but no timeline has been announced for when that might happen.