Ukraine drone strikes on Wildberries warehouses are hitting Russian small businesses hard, as thousands of independent merchants lose their inventory and livelihoods. Tatyana Mikhailova watched her 4,000 fur coats burn in a Moscow warehouse, saying, “It’s not just a warehouse that’s burning—it’s your time, money, and last bit of hope.”
Escalation of Ukraine’s Long-Range Strike Campaign
After months of targeting oil refineries and fuel infrastructure, Ukraine has shifted focus to Russia’s logistics networks. Drones have struck at least nine Wildberries warehouses in the past week, from southern Russia to the outskirts of St Petersburg. The attacks aim to erode the sense of normality that has insulated many urban Russians from the war’s realities.
Get the #1 Wireless Door Camera
REOLINK Bestseller: 2K Weatherproof Video Doorbell, No Monthly Fees.
Impact on Wildberries and Independent Merchants
Wildberries, Russia’s largest e-commerce company—often called the “Amazon of Russia”—stores goods for hundreds of thousands of third-party sellers. The recent drone strikes have destroyed inventory worth an estimated 170 billion roubles ($2.2 billion), according to Data Insight, a Moscow-based research firm. Most of the financial burden falls on the small merchants, not Wildberries itself, many of whom are now left with nothing.
| Warehouse Location | Approx. Size (sq m) | Estimated Losses (roubles) |
|---|---|---|
| Shushary (St Petersburg) | 120,000 | 35 billion |
| Moscow region | 180,000 | 60 billion |
| Other sites (7 combined) | 252,000 | 75 billion |
| Total | 552,000 | 170 billion |
Human Cost: Death and Despair
At least nine people have been killed in the attacks, and many more injured. The strikes have also caused massive fires, sending thick smoke across cities like St Petersburg. For entrepreneurs like Mikhailova, the damage is both personal and professional. “All I feel is emptiness,” she said in a video shared on Instagram.
Key Takeaways
- Ukrainian drone attacks have hit 9 Wildberries warehouses in 7 days.
- Total warehouse capacity affected: 552,000 sq m (one-tenth of Wildberries’ total).
- Estimated merchandise losses: 170 billion roubles ($2.2 billion).
- Most losses are borne by independent merchants, not the company.
- This campaign targets logistics to disrupt Russia’s economic normality.
FAQ
FAQ
What is Wildberries?
Wildberries is Russia’s largest e-commerce platform, similar to Amazon. It hosts millions of products sold by independent merchants and operates a vast network of warehouses across the country.
Why is Ukraine targeting Wildberries warehouses?
Ukraine is targeting logistics networks to undermine Russia’s economic stability and bring the war closer to ordinary people. By destroying goods, the strikes aim to erode the sense of normal life that many Russians still experience.
How much has been lost in the drone strikes?
According to Data Insight, total merchandise losses are estimated at 170 billion roubles (about $2.2 billion). Nine people have also been killed in the attacks.
Who bears the financial loss?
The independent merchants who store their inventory in Wildberries warehouses suffer the most. Many are small businesses that have now lost their entire stock and income.
These attacks mark a significant shift in Ukraine’s military strategy, moving from energy infrastructure to the supply chains that keep Russia’s consumer economy running. As the war continues, ordinary Russian citizens—especially small business owners—are increasingly feeling its direct consequences.