Ukraine has increasingly targeted warehouses operated by Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, saying the company’s facilities are legitimate targets because military and dual-purpose goods are sold through its marketplace. At least 12 warehouses have been fully or partially destroyed since mid-July, killing 13 employees and wounding dozens, according to the Al Jazeera report.
The attacks are also intended to make the war more visible to Russians who rely on Wildberries for everyday shopping. A recent strike hit a warehouse in Yekaterinburg, 2,087km (1,297 miles) from Ukraine’s border; the company temporarily limited orders there, while the regional governor said all 800 employees were evacuated safely.
Why Wildberries matters beyond online shopping
Wildberries has 40 large warehouses and almost 200 smaller facilities, with 5.2 million square metres (56 million square feet) of storage space. Tens of thousands of smaller retailers store goods there and use its delivery network, while pickup centres have become important gathering places, particularly in rural areas.
The company’s turnover reached $79bn in 2025, equivalent to almost 3 percent of Russia’s gross domestic product and nearly half of the country’s online retail, according to the report. That scale gives attacks consequences for shoppers, sellers and local businesses even when military supplies are not affected.
Related coverage: Six killed as strikes hit Ukraine and Russia reports 605 drones intercepted.
What Ukraine and Russia say about the strikes
Kyiv says Wildberries warehouses can contain drone components, navigation equipment, first-aid kits and flak jackets, and describes the sites as legitimate targets. The company and the Kremlin deny that Wildberries has supplied the Russian army. Ukrainian officials present the attacks as retaliation for Russian strikes on Ukrainian postal offices, energy infrastructure, hospitals and apartment buildings.
The Kremlin has called the attacks terrorism. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on July 21 that Kyiv was continuing to hit civilian targets. The report also notes that the Geneva Conventions prohibit attacks on civilian sites, while the International Criminal Court will not open an investigation because Russia has not ratified its statute.
Disruption for sellers, but limited military effect
The strikes have produced heavy smoke, prolonged fires and complaints about air quality in affected areas. Wildberries does not insure damage caused by drone or missile attacks, leaving some small retailers facing major losses after their stored goods were destroyed.
More context: Ukraine’s Elite Drone Force Targets Russian Infrastructure in Crimea and Beyond.
Analysts cited by Al Jazeera said the company may have to decentralise its logistics, raise service costs and replace large hubs with smaller facilities. They also questioned whether the attacks will significantly affect Russian military readiness, since similar goods are available through other marketplaces and websites. The Kremlin has discussed tax breaks or subsidies for Wildberries and its clients, while some regional administrations have offered limited compensation.
Also read: 17 killed as Russian missiles and drones strike Kyiv region.
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