Ukraine attacks Wildberries, Russia's biggest online market

Drone strikes hit Wildberries warehouses

A fire broke out early Sunday in a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online marketplace, in the town of Podolsk, about 40 kilometers south of Moscow. The fire was the result of a large-scale overnight attack by Ukrainian drones, most of which were intercepted by Russian air defenses, as reported by Deutsche Welle. On Friday, Ukraine struck a different Wildberries warehouse in Tver, north of Moscow, and the day before, another in Salavat, further east.

According to Deutsche Welle, about 20 Wildberries logistics hubs have been under near-daily attack in the past few weeks. At least nine employees have been confirmed dead, and scores injured, while a handful of the storehouses have halted operations. The Jerusalem Post reports that Ukraine has carried out drone strikes against at least two dozen warehouses of the company since July 18.

Economic impact and strategic motives

The attacks have placed an increased strain on Russia's economy. The Moscow-based e-commerce consultancy Data Insight estimates Wildberries has lost as much as 480 billion rubles ($5.7 billion) in goods and about a third of its warehouse space, Deutsche Welle reports. Combined damage to the company and its sellers is estimated as high as 800 billion rubles ($9.5 billion).

Wildberries is often described as Russia's answer to Amazon. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and ensuing sanctions, many international e-commerce platforms withdrew from the region. Wildberries revenue increased sevenfold between 2021 and 2025, and the company controls about half of the Russian e-commerce market, with Ozon at about 30%. Together, they handle goods equivalent to 8.5% of Russia's GDP, according to Deutsche Welle.

Ukraine's strategy, as stated by officials, is aimed at raising the costs to Russia of continuing the war. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy argued the warehouses struck were "elements of Russian logistics" used to distribute military equipment, as reported by Deutsche Welle. An analysis by independent outlet Verska identified "tens of thousands of military and dual-use goods" on the platform between May and August. Mykhailo Podolyak, adviser to Zelenskyy, said interrupting military goods flow was one reason, but also disrupting business to affect creditors like Sberbank and VTB. Consultant Fabrice Pothier of Rasmussen Global told Deutsche Welle the attacks are going after a "choke point" of Russian society and economy.

While Kyiv argues the retailer helps supply Russia's military, Moscow maintains it serves only civilian purposes, according to Deutsche Welle.

Putin's response

President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian government on Wednesday to launch a program to rebuild commercial warehouses damaged or destroyed by Ukraine, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. Without naming the company, Putin said a number of logistic sites needed rebuilding with state involvement, and told the government to work on this. "It is essential to ensure that the restoration of damaged facilities is carried out at a qualitatively new technological level," he said in televised comments to a conference of ministers and business leaders on the economy.

Putin said the economy was growing modestly despite external pressure, a reference to Western sanctions, and despite Ukrainian attacks on industrial and infrastructure facilities. He acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks inflict damage but said they "have not caused, and could not cause, critical consequences," as quoted by the Jerusalem Post.

The Jerusalem Post also reports that European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU would impose its most far-reaching sanctions yet on Russia.

Financial strain on Wildberries

Deutsche Welle reports that Wildberries' main operating entity RWB LLC saw short-term borrowing spike nearly eightfold between 2024 and 2025, with debt possibly as high as $14 billion, with VTB as the largest creditor. Sberbank CFO Taras Skvortsov said credit quality and future cash flow have decreased. Tatyana Kim, CEO and co-founder, has turned to the government for support; the government confirmed talks, and VTB is expected to play a key role in rescue efforts.

The Russian Association of Electronic Trading Platforms said as many as 400,000 sellers have been affected, according to Deutsche Welle. Wildberries hosts over 1 million sellers and reaches 80 million users monthly.

Perspectives

• Ukraine: The attacks are aimed at raising the costs of war for Russia, targeting military supply chains and economic infrastructure. Zelenskyy and Podolyak frame the strikes as legitimate actions against logistics supporting the Russian military.
• Russia: Putin downplays the impact, insisting the attacks have no critical consequences, while ordering state-backed rebuilding efforts. Moscow argues Wildberries serves civilian purposes only.
• Expert analysis: Independent analysts like Fabrice Pothier view the attacks as targeting a "choke point" of Russian society, with significant economic repercussions despite Russia's official stance.