**Title: Ukraine Targets Wildberries Warehouses in Ongoing Drone Strike Campaign**
In a significant escalation of its drone strike campaign, Ukraine has targeted two warehouses belonging to the Russian online retailer Wildberries, injuring several individuals. Tatyana Kim, the co-founder and head of the company, confirmed the attacks occurred on Wednesday in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, both located in southern Russia.
The strikes are part of Ukraine's broader strategy to disrupt Russian supply chains and infrastructure that support its military efforts in the ongoing conflict. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has characterized the warehouses as logistics hubs integral to supplying Russian forces with essential components, including drones. However, the Kremlin has refuted claims that Wildberries is involved in handling military supplies.
The recent attacks follow a previous strike on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of eight Wildberries employees and caused significant damage to the company's operations. Kim expressed her anguish over the impact of these attacks on ordinary workers and their families in a post on Telegram, stating, "There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks on ordinary people, on our employees, on all of us who are simply doing our jobs."
Social media footage, verified by Reuters, depicted a large plume of smoke rising from the warehouse in Krasnodar, underscoring the severity of the incident. The regional governor of Krasnodar, Veniamin Kondratiev, reported that ten people were injured in the attack on the storage complex, although he did not specifically mention Wildberries. Emergency services, including a helicopter and over 100 firefighters, were deployed to manage the resulting blaze.
Wildberries, often referred to as Russia's equivalent of Amazon, is a major player in the country's e-commerce sector and one of its largest employers. Although the company's shares are not publicly traded, concerns over its safety have negatively impacted the stock of its competitor, Ozon, which fell by 4% on the Moscow exchange following the news of the attacks.
In response to the ongoing strikes, the e-commerce lobby group AUREK has urged the Russian government to defer tax payments for six months for businesses that have suffered losses due to the attacks. This request reflects the growing apprehension within the Russian e-commerce sector about the potential for further disruptions.
The broader context of these attacks highlights the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides targeting critical infrastructure. While Ukraine continues to face relentless attacks on its cities, it has shifted its strategy to strike deeper into Russian territory, aiming to affect the daily lives of Russian citizens and disrupt the economic stability within the country.
According to the Association of Internet Trade Companies, online sales in Russia surged by 28% in 2025, reaching 11.5 trillion roubles (approximately $147 billion). Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted that sales of goods and services through digital platforms account for around 8.5% of Russia's GDP, indicating the significance of e-commerce in the national economy.
As the situation develops, the extent of the damage to Wildberries and the implications for the broader e-commerce landscape in Russia remain to be seen. The ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with both sides adapting their strategies in response to the changing dynamics of warfare and economic stability.