Ukraine has intensified its military campaign against Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer often compared to Amazon, as part of a broader strategy to bring the consequences of war directly to the Russian civilian population. Since mid-July, Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted at least a dozen of the company’s warehouses across Russian territory, resulting in casualties and substantial damage. The latest attack struck a facility in Yekaterinburg, over 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, causing temporary operational disruptions.
Wildberries has become deeply integrated into Russian daily life, particularly since the 2022 invasion prompted many citizens to abandon traditional shopping in favor of online retail. The company controls approximately 40 major warehouses and nearly 200 smaller facilities with massive storage capacity, serving tens of thousands of smaller retailers and generating nearly 3 percent of Russia’s gross domestic product. Its pickup points have evolved into important social hubs, especially in rural communities.
Kyiv justifies the attacks by designating Wildberries warehouses as legitimate military targets, claiming the company supplies the Russian army with dual-use items including drone components and protective equipment. Ukrainian officials argue the strikes aim to impact Russian civilians who view themselves as disconnected from the conflict. However, analysts question the military effectiveness of these attacks, suggesting alternative suppliers could quickly replace lost goods despite potential delays and increased costs.
Originally reported by Aljazeera →
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