Wildberries Warehouses "Russia's Amazon," Destroyed By Ukrainian Drone Strikes

Wildberries is a Russian company which is that country's equivalent of Amazon. It increasingly supplies consumer needs. And, as it turns out, is a source of sanctioned electronic and operational components for the Russian military. 

As a result, a number of its warehouses were struck by Ukrainian drones, destroying them and killing a number of workers. The lesson meant for Russian citizens is that as long as the Kremlin insists on continuing to attack Ukrainian cities, Russians will not be immune from similar hits, with all of the danger and loss implied. It is worth noting that Wildberries is refusing to compensate third party vendors and customers whose merchandise was lost or damaged in the drone strikes, which will further exacerbate the impact. JL

Novaya Gazeta reports:

Ukraine launched a massive attack on Russian regions overnight, targeting an oil depot and warehouses owned by Russia’s biggest online retailer Wildberries. The assault killed at least eight people and injured dozens more. At least seven warehouse workers on the night shift were killed when a drone struck a Wildberries warehouse in the Tambov region, in central Russia. Wildberries warehouses were used to ensure the supply of sanctioned components for the production of drones and navigation equipment. Wildberries CEO Tatyana Kim expressed her condolences to the victims of the attack and pledged her support. (But) this does not include financial compensation for sellers, whose products were destroyed in the attack — Wildberries had previously refused any liability.

Ukraine launched a massive attack on Russian regions overnight, targeting an oil depot and warehouses owned by Russia’s biggest online retailer Wildberries. The assault killed at least eight people and injured dozens more.

At least seven warehouse workers on the night shift were killed when a drone struck a Wildberries warehouse in the Tambov region, in central Russia, Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov reported. According to him, at least 25 people were injured, with one victim in critical condition and six in serious condition. He added that most victims suffered shrapnel wounds.

In the Moscow suburb of Elektrostal, where another Wildberries warehouse was attacked, one person was killed and 37 were injured, Moscow region Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported.

Two more people were injured in the Moscow region town of Noginsk, where an oil depot is on fire. The facility is used for the storage, transhipment, loading, and offloading of light petroleum products, independent outlet ASTRA reported on Saturday.

Smoke from the fires is visible at Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport, located approximately 50 km from Noginsk and Elektrostal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a statement on the attacks on Wildberries warehouses, stating that drone production components had been stored there.

“Two significant logistics facilities were hit - in the Moscow and Tambov regions, at a distance of more than 500 and about 700 km from the front line. They were used by the aggressor to ensure the supply of sanctioned components for the production of drones and navigation equipment,” he said.

Additionally, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked an oil depot in the Moscow region, as well as targets in the Azov and Black Seas and in occupied Crimea.

Wildberries CEO Tatyana Kim has expressed her condolences to the victims of the attack and pledged her support. However, this support does not include financial compensation for sellers, whose products were destroyed in the attack — Wildberries had previously refused any liability.

“This is a terrible night, terrible events for our company and for our country. This pain is beyond words. My condolences to all the families and friends of the victims, and we will certainly help their families. We will provide all necessary support to the victims,” ​​Kim wrote