Ukraine launched a series of drone attacks targeting three major Russian online shopping hubs on its Independence Day, while also attempting to strike a military spaceport. The coordinated strikes hit logistics centers belonging to Ozon, Russia's second-largest online marketplace, following similar attacks on Wildberries, the country's largest online retailer, in recent weeks.
Explosions were reported at an Ozon logistics center in Makhachkala, Dagestan, where preliminary reports indicated several wounded individuals. Ozon also reported a major fire at a logistics center in Krasnodar and stated that warehouses in Adygeysk and Nevinnomyssk were evacuated due to the threat of drone attacks. Additionally, a warehouse for the home goods chain Kuchenland in Krasnodar was hit by a Ukrainian drone, with debris from a falling drone reportedly causing casualties at a children's center.
In a separate incident, a Russian drone reportedly crossed into NATO airspace over Romania after overflying Moldova, prompting the scramble of Romanian F-16 fighter jets. Romania's Defense Ministry confirmed the scramble to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv for his first foreign trip as premier. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders as part of the Coalition of the Willing. Burnham reiterated the UK's commitment to supporting Ukraine, stating, "In the fight and the rebuilding to come, we stand with Ukraine. Russia should be no doubt of our resolve. We will not back down till there is a lasting peace."
The strikes on Russian logistics hubs, described by Ukraine's defense ministry as targeting facilities that supply military components, have resulted in significant economic losses. Russia has condemned the attacks on what it terms "civilian infrastructure," while also warning of consequences for the use of UK drones striking deep into Russian territory. Relations between Russia and the UK have been described by Moscow as being at an "unprecedentedly low level."