Ukraine's pivot to warehouse strikes is bringing the war closer to ordinary Russians, as drone attacks on logistics hubs devastate small business owners. 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 money and your last bit of hope." These strikes target Wildberries, Russia's largest e-commerce platform, hitting at least nine warehouses in a week and destroying inventory worth billions of dollars.
The new phase of Ukraine's long-range strike campaign
After months of targeting oil refineries and fuel infrastructure, Ukraine is now focusing on logistics networks to erode the sense of normality among urban Russians. On Friday, a warehouse in Shushary, a St Petersburg suburb, caught fire after a drone strike, sending thick smoke across the city. The targeted sites cover about 552,000 square meters—roughly one-tenth of Wildberries' total warehouse capacity, according to Kommersant.
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Impact on small businesses and entrepreneurs
Losses at Wildberries have reached an estimated 170 billion roubles (about $2.2 billion) in destroyed merchandise, according to Data Insight. Most of the financial burden falls on independent merchants whose stock was stored in the warehouses. These entrepreneurs, like Mikhailova, face devastating losses that threaten their livelihoods.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Warehouses hit in past week | 9 |
| Total warehouse area affected | 552,000 sq m |
| Estimated losses in merchandise | 170 billion roubles ($2.2 billion) |
| Fatalities reported | At least 9 |
Key takeaways from the warehouse strike campaign:
- Ukraine targets logistics to disrupt daily life and economic stability.
- Small business owners bear the brunt of financial losses.
- Drone strikes extend from southern Russia to St Petersburg.
- The campaign aims to erode public support for the war.
- Wildberries, as a major e-commerce player, is a strategic target.
FAQ
Why is Ukraine targeting warehouses?
Ukraine is shifting its long-range strike campaign to logistics networks to disrupt the sense of normality among urban Russians and weaken the economy that supports the war effort.
How many warehouses have been hit?
Ukrainian drones have struck at least nine Wildberries warehouses in four of the past seven days, affecting locations from southern Russia to the outskirts of St Petersburg.
What are the economic impacts of these strikes?
Losses are estimated at 170 billion roubles ($2.2 billion) in destroyed merchandise, with independent merchants bearing most of the financial burden. At least nine people have been killed.
This new phase of attacks underscores the war's reach into everyday Russian life, as entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens face the consequences of a conflict that continues to escalate.
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