Deadly Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Russian Online Retail Warehouses

Ukrainian drone attacks have struck warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, killing at least seven workers and injuring dozens of others as Kyiv intensifies long-range operations against logistics and energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory.

The deadliest attack hit a Wildberries distribution centre in Kotovsk, in Russia’s central Tambov region. Regional Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said seven employees were killed and 25 others injured after drones struck the facility and caused a major fire.

A second Wildberries warehouse was hit in Elektrostal, east of Moscow, leaving at least 24 people injured, according to Russian officials. Images and videos circulating after the attack showed flames and thick smoke rising from the large logistics complex.

Wildberries chief executive Tatyana Kim described the attacks as a tragedy for the company and Russia, expressing condolences to the families of those killed and promising assistance to affected employees.

Ukraine acknowledged targeting the logistics facilities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the warehouses were being used to supply sanctioned electronic components connected to Russian drone production and navigation equipment.

The claims could not be independently verified, and Wildberries is primarily known as Russia’s largest online marketplace and delivery company. Russian authorities accused Ukraine of deliberately attacking civilian commercial facilities and workers.

The warehouse strikes formed part of a much larger overnight drone operation across Russia. The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces intercepted 379 Ukrainian drones over 19 regions, Russian-occupied Crimea and nearby waters.

Elsewhere in the Moscow region, a drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in Noginsk. Two people were reportedly injured, while patients and staff were temporarily evacuated from a nearby maternity hospital as a precaution.

Drone debris also reportedly damaged a kindergarten in Elektrostal, while attacks were recorded in Belgorod, Vladimir and several other regions. Russian officials said the total death toll from the wider wave of Ukrainian strikes had risen to at least nine, with more than 60 people injured.

Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones to attack Russian oil depots, military factories, transport networks and logistics centres. Kyiv argues that such facilities support Moscow’s invasion and are therefore legitimate military targets.

The latest attacks demonstrate Ukraine’s growing ability to reach sites hundreds of kilometres from the border, including facilities close to the Russian capital. They also appear designed to disrupt supply chains supporting Russia’s armed forces and to bring the consequences of the war closer to the Russian public.

The strikes came amid continuing Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, ports and energy infrastructure. Both countries have recently intensified operations far beyond the frontline, increasing civilian casualties and raising concerns about a further escalation of the conflict.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the war has expanded from conventional frontline fighting to include frequent long-range attacks against military, industrial, energy and transport facilities in both countries