Key facts
- Ukrainian drone attacks targeted two large logistics hubs of Russian online retailer Wildberries.
- The strikes occurred in Kotovsk and Elektrostal, resulting in eight worker deaths and fires.
- Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed significant losses for both Wildberries and its associated small and medium-sized businesses.
- Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim indicated uncertainty about the Elektrostal facility's reopening.
- The Kotovsk facility is scheduled to resume operations on July 23.
- The Russian government is providing assistance to Wildberries in the aftermath of the attacks.
Russian online retailer Wildberries and its merchants are facing significant losses after Ukrainian drone attacks struck two major logistics hubs in Kotovsk and Elektrostal. The strikes, which occurred on Saturday, resulted in eight worker fatalities and sparked fires, disrupting operations at Russia's largest online retailer.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the difficult situation, stating that both the company and small and medium-sized businesses trading through the platform suffered losses. He denied Ukrainian claims that Wildberries handles military supplies.
Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim indicated that while the Kotovsk facility would resume operations on July 23, the timeline for reopening the Elektrostal facility remained uncertain, with the company needing more time to assess the damage and address compensation for affected goods. Turkish retailer Koton Magazacilik confirmed that a portion of its inventory was impacted by the damage.
The disruption to Wildberries, which serves over one million sellers and is a key player in Russia's rapid shift to online retail, could have widespread effects. Online sales in Russia have grown substantially, representing a significant portion of the country's GDP. The attacks on Wildberries' infrastructure follow similar Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities, which have already caused disruptions and public unease.