Ukrainian long-range drones struck a Wildberries logistics warehouse in Yekaterinburg, Russia, on August 9, setting the facility ablaze and forcing evacuations, according to local officials and the company. The attack, conducted by Kyiv’s forces, marks the latest in a three-week campaign targeting at least 20 Wildberries facilities across Russia since mid-July.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry stated that the strikes aim to disrupt Russian logistics supporting the war effort, while Wildberries reported that most merchandise at the Yekaterinburg site remained undamaged despite the fire. Regional governor Denis Pasler confirmed that three drones struck the warehouse roof, and 800 people were evacuated without injury. Russian President Vladimir Putin chaired a Security Council meeting on August 9, emphasizing the need to strengthen protection of infrastructure facilities.
Key Details of the Attack
The Yekaterinburg warehouse, located 1,400 km (870 miles) east of Moscow, is one of Russia’s largest logistics hubs for Wildberries, the country’s dominant online retailer. Ukrainian forces used fixed-wing drones capable of traveling hundreds of miles into Russian territory before detonating on impact. Fire Point, a Ukrainian defense company, has claimed responsibility for deploying its FP-1 drones in these strikes.
Satellite imagery from Vantor, a U.S. spatial intelligence firm, shows four Wildberries facilities across Russia—including sites in Simferopol, Volgograd, and Kransodar—that have been either heavily damaged or destroyed in recent weeks. Ukrainian officials have stated that these attacks are part of a broader strategy to increase the economic cost of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Wildberries’ Role and Ukrainian Allegations
Wildberries, often described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon, allows merchants to list goods for sale online. Ukrainian authorities have accused the company of supporting Moscow’s military efforts by selling military equipment and dual-use goods, such as tactical vests and drone flight-control goggles, as well as providing logistics support. The Kremlin has denied these claims, asserting that Wildberries is not involved in the war effort.
Sergei Semko, an analyst at Data Insight, estimated that goods destroyed in strikes on Wildberries warehouses in the Moscow and Tambov regions alone amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. The company has not provided a full assessment of damages across all affected sites.
Russian Response and Broader Context
Russian officials have framed the attacks as attempts to destabilize civilian infrastructure, though no casualties have been reported in the Yekaterinburg strike. Putin’s Security Council meeting focused on enhancing protections for critical infrastructure, though no specific measures were disclosed.
Ukraine’s drone campaign has expanded beyond logistics hubs, with Kyiv striking oil refineries in western Siberia—nearly 2,500 km (1,550 miles) from the border—earlier this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has prioritized technological advancements in air defense systems to counter Russian missile strikes, which have intensified in recent months.
International Implications
Ukraine’s drone strikes have drawn international attention, with Kyiv securing drone cooperation agreements with nine countries and negotiating deals with 15 others. The campaign reflects Kyiv’s strategy of leveraging asymmetric warfare to pressure Russia economically and militarily.
Wildberries has not publicly commented on the broader allegations of aiding Russia’s war effort but has confirmed damage to multiple facilities. The company stated that most goods at the Yekaterinburg site were spared, though the full extent of losses remains unclear.