Wildberries Faces Major Losses After Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Warehouses

Russian online retailer Wildberries and its partner sellers have suffered serious losses after large fires triggered by Ukrainian drone attacks on two logistics hubs in Kotovsk and Elektrostal. The strikes last week killed eight workers and caused widespread fires, severely disrupting operations at Wildberries, which processed about 20 million orders daily before the attack.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the situation is difficult, with losses impacting not only Wildberries but also smaller partner companies. He denied Ukrainian accusations that Wildberries also stores military supplies. The attack on such consumer economy assets signals an expansion of Kyiv's long-range drone strategy.

Wildberries founder Tatjana Kim said on July 20 that the company is aware of many questions about compensation for damaged goods at the Elektrostal warehouse but needs more time to assess the impact. She did not comment on when operations might resume. The Kotovsk warehouse is expected to restart on July 23. Turkish retailer Koton Magazacilik reported on July 21 that some of its goods in Wildberries warehouses were damaged.

Wildberries is a key player in Russia's shift to online commerce, with over a million sellers. Online trade grew 28% in 2025, and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak noted internet sales account for about 8.5% of GDP. Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure have already affected daily life in Russia, including fuel supply disruptions. Meanwhile, sellers on Telegram discuss the motives for the attack, with some suggesting it is retaliation for strikes on Ukrainian warehouses.