Deadly Drone Strikes Hit Russian Wildberries Warehouses, Eight Killed
Eight people were killed and 62 injured when Ukrainian drones attacked two of Russia’s biggest online‑retail warehouses owned by Wildberries. The first explosion in the Tambov region took a heavy toll, with seven workers on the night shift dying instantly and 25 others sustaining injuries, while a separate strike in Elektrostal claimed one life and 37 injuries.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones targeted “major logistics facilities” that supplied components for Ukrainian drone production and navigation. He added that Ukrainian forces have also struck ships in the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea, and Russian‑annexed Crimea.
Images captured the aftermath: flames licked the warehouse walls, black smoke billowed, and workers fled into a nearby car park. Video footage shows shattered structures and the chaotic rush of staff evacuating under continuous attack.
Local officials reported a large number of drones were intercepted—28 in Tambov and 48 over Moscow’s region overnight—while an oil depot in the Moscow area also sustained damage from a falling drone, illustrating the broader escalation of Ukrainian long‑range strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
Wildberries, often likened to Russia’s Amazon, is a joint venture between the Wildberries chain and advertising firm Russ, with Forbes Russia valuing the merged company at roughly $12.6 billion in 2026. CEO Tatyana Kim, Russia’s first female billionaire, described the night as “a terrible night” for both the nation and for her company.
These attacks add to the mounting civilian casualties across the region, underscoring the escalating use of drones in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and Russia’s efforts to document and respond to the growing toll on its infrastructure and populace.
