Anastasiia Apetyk

CEO, digital security&technology lover, lawyer, developer of educational programs, researcher, entrepreneur. Top 30 under 30 in 🇺🇦 Co-founder MINZMIN🚀

[Laura Loomer @LauraLoomer]

🚨 Russia Targets American Businesses in Kyiv: Iconic McDonald’s Endures Repeated Attacks From Russian Ballistic Missiles Proving Russia’s Disdain For America 🚨

3 days ago, Russia launched 40 ballistic missiles into Kyiv, Ukraine, striking civilian districts in the Ukrainian capital, and the oldest @McDonalds in Ukraine, underscoring the human and symbolic cost of Moscow’s war.

The McDonalds in Kyiv, Ukraine’s very first, opened in 1997, has become one of the most resilient symbols of defiance during the war. The restaurant has sustained damage at least seven times since the full-scale invasion began, most recently from blast waves during a massive strike on May 24, 2026, its 29th anniversary. Workers sheltered safely, and despite the structural damage and holes in the building from shrapnel, the restaurant opened days later.

McDonald’s represents one of the most recognizable American brands globally, and it has come to be known as a symbol for U.S. entrepreneurship, fast service, and consumer culture. Its golden arches stand as a post-Soviet emblem of openness and Western integration in Ukraine. In stark contrast, McDonald’s no longer operates under its name in Russia after exiting the market in 2022 amid US sanctions and widespread condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Across Ukraine, American and Western businesses, alongside countless local enterprises, have been damaged or destroyed by Russian strikes on cities far from the front lines. Malls, supermarkets, offices, and restaurants have all been caught in the crossfire of Russian ballistic missiles, drones, and glide bombs targeting civilian infrastructure.

These attacks on ordinary gathering places, where families eat, students meet, and workers grab quick meals, sends a clear message. Russia is not an ally of the United States or the West. By striking symbols of Western presence and normal civilian life, and by firing at American businesses, Moscow demonstrates contempt for the very idea of a prosperous, Western-oriented Ukraine.

Ukrainian resilience remains undiminished, and that is what I have noticed on day 2 of my time in Ukraine.
Despite nonstop attacks, the Ukrainian people are determined to continue living their life.

McDonald’s Ukraine serves burgers under a sign warped by past explosions, and it is a daily reminder that life, and American-inspired enterprise, persists amid the rubble and destruction inflicted by Russia. It’s also a reminder that Russia wants to destroy American businesses.

Kyiv’s McDonalds is not collateral damage. It is the deliberate targeting of a society trying to live normally and free from communism.

The world should take note.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Even though I never eat fast food, I ordered a cheeseburger, fries and a Diet Coke to show my support.

There’s nothing like enjoying a meal with the backdrop of a Russian ballistic missile attack and blown out windows at McDonalds to really make you appreciate being an American and evaluate your prior perspective on US support for Ukraine.

What’s happening in Ukraine today can and will happen in America in the near future if we do not stop communism and multipolarity.

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

@SwedishPM Tack för att ni står med Ukraine – inte bara i ord utan i handling.
Att vara i Kyiv just idag är en stark signal om solidaritet och gemensamt ansvar för Europas säkerhet.
Och låt oss också fortsätta använda den korrekta stavningen - Kyiv.
#KyivNotKiev

[Дімасик вже не в ЗСУ @deemasseek]

Друзі, давайте збиратися на акцію та відстоювати те, що ми будували за останнє десятиліття. Збираємося о 20.00 на площі біля театру імені Івана Франка. Це найближче доступне місце до Офісу Президента. Тому сподіваюся, що нас буде видно з їхніх вікон.

Мені, як ветерану важливо, щоб мою ініціативу підтримали насамперед прості небайдужі громадяни. Тому прошу політичні партії та діячів утриматися від підтримки цієї акції. Тому давайте домовимося, що акція пройде без символіки та спікерів, яким хочеться висловити свої думки.

Як ви знаєте, сьогодні Верховна рада проголосувала за зміни, що ліквідують незалежність антикорупційної системи. Нардепи вирішили, що НАБУ і САП мають бути підпорядковані генпрокуро��у. Тому ��еріть картонки від коробок та робіть плакати, де пишіть все, що думаєте з приводу наступу на антикорупційну систему протягом останнього часу.

Зараз уже запустили петиції до Президента з вимогою ветувати цю дичину. Але поки ці петиції будуть затверджені – він може підписати цей законопроєкт. Тому часу в нас немає. Треба виходити сьогодні й вимагати у Зеленського не допустити повернення в часи Януковича. Тож до зустрічі ввечері.

[Kyiv School of Economics @kse_ua]

We would like to tell you about the new winner of the #TalentsForUkraine grant program from the KSE Foundation! Anastasia Apetyk @aapetyk is a lawyer and cybersecurity expert.

Read more: https://t.co/pxOGbvVGHR

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

@NATO @MFA_Ukraine Great article 🦾

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

🌐At the invitation of @Mar_Kaplina and @CEELI_Institute I conducted cybersecurity training for graduates of the Ukrainian leaders in the public sector—where we discussed key issues of online security and data protection.
#OnlineProtection #cybersecurity

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

Коли потрібно видалити Telegram?
У лонгріді ви почитаєте:
Що не так з шифруванням та секретними чатами
Про програму-шпигун Інсайдер, а також що обєднює Телегам з Вконтакте
https://t.co/srnEh6sefT
#хто_живе_у_наших_смартфонах
#who_are_living_in_our_smartphones
#cybersecuritytips

[Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 @DefenceHQ]

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine – 04 September 2023.

Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/AR3XZxJOya

🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

My hometown, Lviv.
Russia, a terrorist state, carried out a missile strike on civilian infrastructure in Lviv overnight.
As of now, 4 people have been killed and 9 others injured, with residential buildings damaged and debris still being cleared.
#RussianWarCrimes #UkraineWar

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

Being nominated for the 2023 Cybersecurity Woman of the Year Award has been an absolute honor and a truly amazing surprise! Thank you to those that nominated me!🇺🇦
#CSWY2023 #cybersecuritywomanoftheyear #womenincyber #womenincybersecurity #cybersecurity #infosec

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

Talking about online safety in Ukraine 🚀
https://t.co/6OXltZxW64 #cybersecurity #ai

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

My interview for Forbes https://t.co/tkbcOK97Qe #onlinesafety #Forbes #Ukraine #womenpower

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

Glad to be in this issue of @Forbes Ukraine
I am continuing to work to strengthen online safety)
#womenpower #onlinesafety #forbes

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

@KaimoKuusk Thank you for your support!

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Today in Lviv, the United for Justice conference begins its work, which will help us create a network of legal forces to ensure that every 🇷🇺 terrorist, murderer and torturer gets a deserved sentence. 2/2

[Yuliia Shaipova @YuShaipova]

Our with @AShaipov fresh op-ed on countering #Russia’s narratives in the Western academia for @ForeignPolicy from a #Ukrainian perspective.

It was an honor to contribute!

https://t.co/Dt9bPabvun

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

@ServiceSsu після пройдених навчань із захисту даних деперсоніфіковує навіть дані агента чорного кота. Молодці! #dataprotection

[ResilientUkraine @ResilientUA]

Unbreakable🛡, resilient⚔️ & unstoppable. It's all about the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Congratulations to all servicemen & servicewomen with the Day of the Armed Forces of 🇺🇦. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to its heroic Armed Forces❗️

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

We are making history, Kherson has returned home🍉🇺🇦
Respect to all those who brought him closer in battle, in occupation and every second in every Ukrainian heart and constant work!

Glory to the heroes!#Kherson #Ukrainе #UkrainianArmy

[Anastasiia Apetyk @AApetyk]

The Sberbank Security Service is now calling Russians from Iran, Turkey and Syria. Non-European numbers help scammers bypass blocking. Operators cannot "ban" all calls from now friendly countries. #OnlineSafety #cybercrime https://t.co/KzQ6WaEAF3