Ukrainian drone strikes on warehouses belonging to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, are disrupting a major part of the country’s e-commerce supply chain and damaging stocks worth potentially billions of euros.
Wildberries, founded in 2004 by entrepreneur Tatyana Kim, controls about one-third of Russia’s online retail market. The company operates across Russia and several former Soviet republics and is estimated to be worth more than €7 billion, making Kim Russia’s wealthiest woman.
The company expanded rapidly in 2025, increasing turnover by almost 50%, according to Russian news agency Interfax. However, its operations have come under growing pressure since July 18, when Ukrainian drones began striking its warehouses.
At least 20 Wildberries facilities, mainly in western and southern Russia, have reportedly been hit. Fires have destroyed warehouses and large quantities of merchandise. A Reuters analysis of satellite imagery found that at least 1.18 million square metres of Wildberries warehouse space had been damaged or destroyed, equivalent to around one-fifth of its storage capacity.
Russian authorities have reported deaths at several sites, including eight people killed at two Wildberries facilities. Another five people were reportedly killed in a drone strike on an unidentified warehouse near Moscow.
Wildberries sells clothing, furniture, electronics and household goods, but its marketplace also offers products that have military applications. These include commercial drones, night-vision equipment and protective military clothing.
Ukraine says the warehouses are being targeted because Wildberries is involved in supplying equipment and components used by Russia’s military, including items subject to international sanctions.
Ukrainian foreign policy expert Oleksandr Kraiev said the attacks were intended to restrict Russia’s access to sanctioned goods moving through e-commerce networks and place additional pressure on the Russian economy.
Wildberries founder Kim has described the attacks as acts of terrorism, while the Kremlin has accused Ukraine of targeting Russia’s civilian economy.
The financial consequences could extend beyond Wildberries itself. Damage to warehouses has affected merchants that depend on the platform to store and deliver products. A Russian analytical firm cited by Forbes Russia estimated that online retailers selling through Wildberries could face losses of between €2.2 billion and €3 billion.
Destroyed stock and delivery delays could also encourage customers to switch to rival platforms, adding to the pressure on the company.
The attacks form part of a wider Ukrainian campaign against Russia’s economic infrastructure. Kyiv has also increased strikes against oil depots and refineries, disrupting fuel supplies and putting pressure on Russia’s energy revenues.
Ukrainian officials appear to view the attacks as part of a broader strategy to weaken Moscow’s economic capacity while increasing pressure ahead of possible future negotiations.
The campaign comes as discussions over restarting peace efforts remain uncertain. By targeting logistics networks and other economically important facilities, Kyiv hopes to increase the costs of continuing the war and strengthen its position if diplomatic negotiations resume.
