Ukraine Brewer Explains How Production Shifted to Make Molotov Cocktails

As millions of Ukrainians fight back against the Russian military's invasion, one local brewer is switching out its beer production in favor of a more "explosive" spirit—Molotov cocktails.

The Ukrainian government urged its citizens to use Molotov cocktails—a glass bottle filled with flammable liquids that are then set on fire—to help defend their home against the invasion as the Russian military continues to move into Ukraine.

Yuri Zastavny, who owns Pravda Brewery in the western city of Lviv, explained to Fox News how his brewery is producing Molotov cocktails.

"Small craft brewers, they need to make something. They can't just sit idle, so we decided to use our chemical skills and our own labor to do something that requires precision and safety—exactly like beer," he told host Bill Hemmer.

Zastavny said the brewery couldn't make beer during the invasion, so they instead opted to make the Molotov cocktails, noting that they already had the supplies—bottles—and workers who already knew how to make them.

He pointed to Ukraine's 2014 revolution as the last time the weapons were widely used. He said some people already knew how to not only make them but also knew how to "make them bite," he said. The brewers' knowledge of chemistry, in conjunction with their past knowledge, enabled them to make the Molotov cocktails.

He noted that he is joining others in figuring out how they can best help with their skills, praising the "spirit" of his fellow citizens. He said people with IT skills are helping with hacking, people who know how to shoot are going onto the frontlines of defense—and he's using his skills as well.

"If you can brew, you can as well make Molotov cocktails," he said.

Ukrainian officials instructed their citizens to make the weapons last week after Russian forces appeared to infiltrate a residential district in Kyiv.

"We urge citizens to inform us of troop movements, to make Molotov cocktails, and neutralize the enemy," the Ukrainian ministry of defense said on social media.

On Monday, Russian forces continued to invade Ukraine while leaders aimed to deescalate the situation. Russian and Ukrainian delegations held peace talks at the border with Belarus. The first round of negotiations ended for the day, but will continue, The Kyiv Independent reported. They are expected to meet again "in the coming days."

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said Putin "confirmed his willingness" to end attacks against civilians and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed an application to join the European Union.