Ukrainian Drone Attacks Online Retailer Facilities In Russia

Two warehouses belonging to Russian online retail giant Wildberries were targeted in fresh Ukrainian drone attacks overnight, the company and local authorities said on Thursday.

One person was injured and more than 200 employees were evacuated after a drone strike triggered a fire at a Wildberries warehouse in Russia’s western Penza region, according to regional governor Oleg Melnichenko.

Wildberries said it had reorganised its logistics operations, with the receipt of goods and dispatch of orders redirected to other facilities.

Another Wildberries warehouse in Sarapul, about 1,100 kilometres east of Moscow, was also struck by a Ukrainian drone, causing a fire. The company said employees were safely evacuated and, based on preliminary information, no one was injured.

Ukraine first targeted Wildberries warehouses on July 18 and 19, striking facilities in the Tambov region, about 480 kilometres southeast of Moscow, as well as the Moscow region. The attacks reportedly left eight people injured and caused significant damage to the warehouses.

Since then, several Wildberries facilities across Russia have come under drone attacks.

More than four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, diplomatic efforts remain stalled, while both countries continue to intensify long-range strikes against each other.