Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, resulting in significant financial losses and operational disruptions. The strikes, which began in mid-July, have caused an estimated $6 billion to $8.5 billion in damages, impacting the company and its sellers.
Escalating Campaign
The most recent strike occurred at a Wildberries warehouse in the Voronezh region, where a drone attack reportedly caused a fire and injured two people. Wildberries stated that the facility was evacuated and no goods were stored there at the time. This incident follows a series of drone attacks on the company's facilities across Russia, including strikes on July 18 that hit centers in Kotovsk and Elektrostal, resulting in seven deaths and over 60 injuries. Four days later, attacks on facilities in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk led to fires and 15 injuries.
Economic and Psychological Impact
Analysts suggest that Ukraine's deep-strike campaign aims to increase the economic cost for Russia to sustain its war effort. Kateryna Bondar, a senior fellow at the Wadhwani AI Center at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, described the strikes as a form of economic coercion. With an estimated 5% to 7% of sellers having insurance, the financial burden is cascading onto tens of thousands of small businesses, with roughly 27% of Wildberries' warehouse capacity reportedly out of operation.
Beyond the financial toll, the attacks are also noted for their psychological impact, causing fear and raising questions about the effectiveness of Russian air defenses. Wildberries founder and CEO Tatyana Kim has characterized the strikes as a "terrorist attack" and accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting a civilian company. Kim stated that sellers from ten countries, including China, have suffered billions in losses, and Wildberries maintains it is not liable for all these damages, creating incentives for diversification and increased costs for sellers.
Strategic Considerations
Kyiv reportedly views Wildberries' extensive supply chain as a potential conduit for dual-use goods, including equipment for drones and components for circumventing sanctions. The strikes are also seen as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukrainian logistics infrastructure.
Tatyana Kim, who Forbes estimates is Russia's richest woman, has reportedly sought tax deferrals rather than direct compensation or air defense support from the Kremlin. This situation suggests that businesses in Russia are expected to absorb the costs of war, and proximity to power does not guarantee protection. Security measures at Wildberries facilities, including a controversial policy restricting employees' cellphone use, have also come under scrutiny. While officially justified as a security measure, the ban is also seen as an attempt to control information and prevent the real-time documentation of strikes and their impact.