Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government to launch a program to rebuild commercial warehouses damaged or destroyed by Ukrainian drone strikes, state media reported on August 19, 2026.
Ukraine has carried out drone strikes against at least two dozen warehouses of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, since July 18, 2026, causing explosions and fires that destroyed a significant portion of its storage capacity. The attacks targeted logistics sites in the Leningrad Region and St. Petersburg, as well as a massive logistics center outside Moscow, which remained ablaze days after the strikes.
Putin’s Response: State-Led Reconstruction
Putin, speaking at a televised conference with ministers and business leaders, directed the government to oversee the rebuilding of damaged facilities, emphasizing that restoration should occur at a “qualitatively new technological level.” He acknowledged the damage caused by Ukrainian attacks but asserted that the strikes had not resulted in “critical consequences.”
“Of course, such attacks have not caused, and could not cause, critical consequences,” Putin stated. “However, they do inflict damage; this is obvious, and we fully understand and acknowledge it.”
The Russian leader also claimed that Russia’s economy was growing modestly despite Western sanctions and Ukrainian strikes on industrial and infrastructure facilities.
Ukraine’s Strategy: Raising Costs of War
Ukraine has framed its drone strikes as part of a broader effort to increase the economic and logistical costs of Russia’s war, which began in February 2022. Ukrainian officials have stated that their targets include both military and civilian infrastructure supporting Russia’s war effort.
Wildberries, which delivers clothing, electronics, groceries, and household goods, has become a critical component of Russia’s supply chain, accounting for 8.5% of the country’s GDP and employing more than 5% of its workforce. The company has taken measures to reduce its visibility as a target, including removing military-related goods from its website and discontinuing the use of company branding on delivery trucks.
Escalating Drone Warfare
Ukraine’s 413th Raid Unmanned Systems Regiment has intensified long-range drone strikes, targeting logistics hubs, energy facilities, and military infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. A recent attack on a Moscow-area warehouse left the facility in flames, with thick smoke visible for miles. Ukrainian drone crews were observed preparing for additional strikes shortly after the operation.
The commander of the regiment, Yevhen Karas, stated that the unit had participated in the strike on the Wildberries warehouse near Moscow, describing it as part of Ukraine’s largest attacks on Russia to date. Karas emphasized that such strikes were necessary to punish the Kremlin and secure a lasting peace.
Broader Impact on Russia
The escalation of drone attacks has forced Russia to stretch its air defenses over a larger area, disrupted airports, and sparked fuel shortages. The strikes have also undermined public morale in Russia, bringing the war closer to home for many citizens nearly 4.5 years after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the European Union has announced plans to impose additional sanctions on Russia in the coming months, further tightening economic pressure on Moscow.