Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted Russian e-commerce logistics hubs, forcing hundreds of workers to evacuate. The latest incident occurred at a Russian Amazon (Ozon) logistics hub in the southern city of Orenburg, prompting the urgent evacuation of over 300 employees. This follows a similar strike on an Ozon logistics center in Chapayevsk, Samara region, which remained ablaze a day after being hit.
In parallel with the strikes on Russian infrastructure, Moscow has recalled its ambassador to the United Kingdom, Andrey Kelin. Kelin, who had served in London for seven years, departed on July 21. The Kremlin has not put forward a replacement, effectively downgrading diplomatic relations between the two countries and raising concerns about a potential breakdown in communication. Relations had previously deteriorated after reports emerged of British drones being used by Ukraine in strikes deep within Russian territory.
A spokesperson for the Russian embassy stated that Ambassador Kelin had made significant efforts to maintain communication channels and departed with the hope that a more constructive dialogue could be restored if the UK reconsiders its policies toward Russia. Kelin has previously been a public proponent of pro-Russian narratives, disputing reports concerning the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny and the Salisbury poisonings.
President Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Ukraine's recent drone and missile attacks, including those on Ozon and Wildberries facilities, are causing economic damage and losses to Russia. He characterized these strikes as a response to actions by the Ukrainian government and its Western partners, aiming to inflict a "strategic defeat on Russia" by targeting civilian facilities and logistics to undermine the Russian economy and societal unity.
Beyond the e-commerce hubs, another significant blaze engulfed a warehouse in Kolpino, St. Petersburg, an area reportedly the size of twelve football pitches. The fire erupted without an immediate drone alert or air raid warning, fueling suspicions of sabotage.
These incidents occur amidst a broader escalation of attacks. Russian forces reported shooting down 328 Ukrainian drones overnight. Ukraine, meanwhile, has accused Russia of planning to mobilize an additional 300,000 troops after parliamentary elections in September, with the objective of capturing the remaining territory in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region by 2027, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Recent Ukrainian attacks have also been blamed for civilian casualties. Sixteen civilians were killed and 130 wounded in a strike on a shopping mall in Kryvyi Rih. In Kharkiv region, a drone attack on a private house injured eight civilians. Russia also reported halting a train from Zhytomyr to Odesa, carrying 593 passengers, including 15 children, preventing casualties.
Putin has dismissed Ukrainian peace proposals as unrealistic and stated that Russia is open to dialogue, but only on the basis of current realities on the ground.