Ukraine Launches Deadly Air Strikes on Russia’s ‘Amazon’

Ukrainian drone strikes on warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer have resulted in at least eight fatalities and dozens of injuries, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. The attacks targeted logistics hubs operated by Wildberries, a major e-commerce company akin to Amazon.com, located between 300 and 450 miles inside Russian territory in the Moscow and Tambov regions. The strikes caused massive fires and prompted evacuations, with online footage showing employees fleeing the scene and thick plumes of smoke visible over a wide area.

These attacks signify a new phase in the air war, as Ukraine has previously focused its drone strikes on energy infrastructure within Russia. This latest move, however, targets a private company’s logistics hubs, aiming to highlight the human cost of the war for ordinary Russians. The timing of the strikes coincides with declining approval ratings for Russian President Vladimir Putin, driven by persistent drone attacks, fuel shortages, and limited military progress.

A video captured the moment a drone approached a warehouse while air-raid sirens sounded and a loudspeaker urged employees to take shelter. Emergency helicopters were deployed to help extinguish the fires, highlighting the scale of the destruction. Hours after the attack, Russia retaliated with a large-scale missile strike on Kyiv, launching around 50 ballistic missiles. This was one of the most significant barrages of the war, with residents reporting multiple interceptions, unlike previous attacks when Ukraine lacked Patriot interceptors.

Kyiv authorities confirmed at least one death and two injuries from the Russian strikes, which damaged residential buildings, a supermarket, a warehouse, and other facilities. Dozens of vehicles caught fire in the aftermath. Several of the strikes targeted the Lukyanivka district of Kyiv, an area frequently attacked due to its military significance. The Lukyanivka metro station, often used as a refuge for civilians, was also damaged.

In response to the Ukrainian attacks on Wildberries, President Zelensky claimed that the company’s warehouses supported Russia’s war effort by delivering sanctioned components used in drones and navigation equipment. He framed the strikes as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukraine’s postal and civilian infrastructure. However, Wildberries did not directly address these claims, while founder Tatiana Kim described the events as “terrible” for both the company and the country.

Founded in 2004, Wildberries has grown into a national leader, processing millions of deliveries weekly. Kim, a well-known entrepreneur, has a personal fortune estimated by Forbes at over $8.1 billion. Despite the damage, the company downplayed the operational impact, stating that supply chains remained largely unaffected. Wildberries announced compensation of two million rubles (approximately $25,000) for families of the deceased and one million rubles for the injured.

“Wildberries continues to ensure access to millions of goods within walking distance of your home,” the company stated, emphasizing its commitment to maintaining services despite the crisis.