Key facts
- A fire occurred at a Wildberries warehouse in Russia's Samara region.
- Wildberries reported no casualties and rerouted logistics operations.
- Social media footage showed a large blaze at the warehouse.
- In July, Ukraine targeted Wildberries facilities, claiming they supplied military equipment.
- Russian forces conducted widespread drone and missile attacks across Ukraine.
- Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged for more Patriot missile systems.
A fire broke out at a Wildberries warehouse in Russia's Samara region on Sunday, with video footage circulating on social media showing flames engulfing the building and large plumes of black smoke. The Russian online retailer stated on Telegram that there were no reported casualties and that its logistics operations had been reorganized, with deliveries and dispatches being handled at other facilities.
This incident follows a series of Ukrainian drone strikes targeting multiple Wildberries logistics facilities across Russia in July. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claimed these warehouses were involved in supplying drone parts and navigation equipment for the Russian military as part of Kyiv's strategy against Moscow.
Wildberries, founded in 2004 by Tatyana Kim, is Russia's largest online marketplace. The company's website now lists items such as knives, helmets, camouflage, and night-vision devices.
The report of the warehouse fire comes amid intensified Russian strikes on Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that Russian forces had launched approximately 1,900 drones, 1,600 aerial bombs, and 144 missiles against 16 regions of Ukraine in the past week. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia attacked Ukraine with 133 drones and loitering munitions overnight, and that air defenses had shot down or neutralized 109 enemy unmanned aerial vehicles and munitions.
Zelenskyy has also renewed his calls for more Patriot missile interceptor systems from international partners, emphasizing their crucial role in defending against Russian attacks. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly indicated a reluctance to provide Ukraine with the technology to build its own Patriot missiles, despite a previous discussion with Zelenskyy.