Russia’s three biggest online marketplaces narrow liability to sellers amid Ukrainian drone strikes on warehouses

Yandex Market has revised its contract with sellers, adding a detailed list of force majeure circumstances in which the marketplace is not liable. These include the use of weapons, military equipment, or aircraft (including drones); strikes; civil unrest; government restrictions (e.g., movement bans); terrorism; military actions; martial law or state of emergency; release of contaminants; and natural disasters.

The previous version, dated July 1, did not specify which events were covered under the force majeure clause and released both parties from liability. Under the new terms, only the marketplace—the service provider—is exempt. The updated agreement also removes the requirement for immediate notification and documentation of a force majeure event.

Earlier this year, Ozon changed its terms on June 12, and Wildberries followed on July 7. Both companies freed themselves from liability for failing to meet obligations in case of a drone attack.

Ukraine has struck Wildberries warehouses twice in the past week. On July 18, drones hit logistics centers in Kotovsk (Tambov region) and Elektrostal (Moscow region). On July 22, drones targeted warehouses in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk.

Despite the contract changes, Wildberries representatives said the company is developing support measures for sellers whose goods were destroyed in Ukrainian strikes, including "making payments" for lost goods. However, they did not specify when payments would begin or how they would be calculated.