Ukraine Targets Wildberries Logistics in Massive Drone Campaign

Between July 18 and July 24, 2026, Volodymyr Zelenskyy authorized a series of long-range drone strikes targeting warehouses and distribution centers belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. The campaign hit facilities in Saint Petersburg, the Leningrad region, Crimea, and the regions of Moscow, Tambov, Krasnodar, and Stavropol. Ukrainian officials stated the strikes targeted logistics hubs used to supply the Russian military with sanctioned drone components and navigation equipment, characterizing the operations as "long-range sanctions" to bring the war back to Russia.

The attacks resulted in at least nine deaths and dozens of injuries, including a three-year-old boy in Voronezh. Massive fires erupted at several sites, most notably at a key distribution hub in Elektrostal and facilities in Kotovsk. Analysts estimate the loss of goods for independent sellers at up to $3 billion, while the company may have lost 10% of its logistics capacity. Tatyana Kim, founder of Wildberries, condemned the attacks and sought government tax deferrals for affected entrepreneurs, although she initially classified the strikes as force majeure.

Russia responded with its own aerial campaign, striking port infrastructure, fuel facilities, and a UAV warehouse in Odessa and Chernomorsk. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denied that Wildberries supplied the military, accusing Kyiv of targeting civilian infrastructure. Amidst the escalation, Zelenskyy replaced Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi with Mykhailo Drapatyi and sacked Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov. Meanwhile, reports indicate Vladimir Putin intends to retain occupied territories in Donetsk, Sumy, and Kharkiv as buffer zones.