**Title: ‘Russian Amazon’ Founder Tatyana Kim Added to Ukraine’s Mirotvorets ‘Kill List’**
Tatyana Kim, the CEO and founder of Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, has been included on Ukraine's Mirotvorets ‘kill list’ amid allegations that her company is providing support to the Russian military. This development has drawn significant attention given Kim's status as Russia's richest woman, with a net worth exceeding $8 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Wildberries, often referred to as the "Russian Amazon," was established by Kim from her Moscow apartment while she was on maternity leave. Under her leadership, the company has expanded its operations to ten countries and is projected to achieve a gross merchandise turnover of approximately $77.3 billion by 2025. Kim is recognized as one of the most influential business figures in Russia.
The Mirotvorets database, which is associated with Ukraine's security services, listed Kim on Saturday, accusing her of being an "accomplice in crimes against Ukraine and its citizens." The entry claims that she has provided logistical support to Russian military units and has financed the Russian army. The database has a controversial history, having published personal information of individuals deemed enemies of the Ukrainian state, with some listed individuals facing severe consequences, including death.
This listing comes in the wake of a series of attacks on Wildberries' infrastructure. Since mid-July, the company has experienced multiple drone strikes targeting its logistics centers and warehouses across various regions in Russia. These attacks have resulted in the deaths of nine individuals and injuries to over 100 others, with damages estimated to exceed $1 billion. The most recent strike occurred on Sunday, targeting a Wildberries warehouse in the Samara Region, although preliminary reports indicated no injuries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that these attacks were intentional, asserting that the warehouses contained "sanctioned components for drone production and navigation equipment." In contrast, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has dismissed these claims as unfounded, while Russian Deputy Security Council Secretary Aleksandr Maslennikov condemned the strikes as acts of terrorism and war crimes, suggesting that Ukraine is attempting to gain media attention by targeting a prominent symbol of daily consumer life.
In response to the drone strikes, Kim released a video statement on Friday, labeling the attacks as "terrorist attacks" designed to instill fear among the Russian civilian population. She refuted allegations that Wildberries sells military-grade goods, emphasizing that many international online marketplaces offer products that could be classified as dual-use, including batteries, camouflage gear, first-aid kits, FPV goggles, and fiber-optic cables.
Kim highlighted the broader impact of the attacks, stating, "Attacks on Wildberries' infrastructure are attacks on civilians. And not just on Russians." She pointed out that approximately 10,000 individuals from ten countries, including Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Uzbekistan, and China, conduct business through the company's ecosystem and have been adversely affected by the ongoing strikes.
The situation reflects the escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict. As both sides continue to exchange accusations and carry out military actions, the implications for businesses like Wildberries and their leaders remain uncertain. The inclusion of Tatyana Kim on the Mirotvorets list underscores the complexities of the conflict, where economic entities are increasingly drawn into geopolitical disputes.