In brief
Ukrainian drone attacks destroyed two key logistics hubs of Wildberries, Russia’s Amazon‑like retailer, causing eight deaths and 62 injuries. The strikes, part of a broader escalation targeting Russian supply chains, were described by President Zelensky as retaliation for Moscow’s incursions. Russian officials report dozens of drones shot down and heavy damage to the warehouses, while the incident has intensified concerns over Russia’s energy and e‑commerce infrastructure.
Eight killed, 62 injured in twin Wildberries warehouse bombings
Ukrainian drones fired from the night over two of Russia’s biggest online‑retail warehouses, leaving eight people dead and 62 wounded. The first attack, near Tambov, 475 km south‑east of Moscow, killed seven on‑the‑spot and injured 25. The second strike, at the Elektrostal site in the Moscow region, claimed one life and left 37 injured.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said the facilities had served as “major logistics hubs” supplying components for drone production, and that Ukraine had also struck oil and energy sites in the Sea of Azov, Black Sea and Russian‑occupied Crimea. He framed the operation as retaliation for Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The Tambov governor, Evgeniy Pervyshov, described the scene as “the largest and most inhumane” attack in the region, noting 28 drones were downed on approach and that 25 people sustained shrapnel wounds. In Elektrostal spokesman Andrei Vorobyov reported eight of the injured were in serious condition after 48 drones were intercepted and an oil depot was struck.
Wildberries, Russia’s premier e‑commerce platform likened to Amazon, has combined with advertising firm Russ to form the RWB group. Forbes ranks the conglomerate at about $12.6 bn (£9.3 bn) as of 2026. CEO Tatyana Kim, a Russian female billionaire, called the night “terrible” for the country and the business.
The attacks occur amid heightened Ukrainian long‑range drone pen‑trusions of Russian critical infrastructure, which have reportedly crippled 43 % of Russian oil‑refining capacity. Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged fuel shortages caused by these strikes and introduced new legislation to boost domestic supply.
