Key facts
- Russian missile attacks on August 5 targeted warehouses of Ukrainian supermarket chains and other civilian enterprises.
- Supplies of vegetables, dairy, and meat are low or absent in some Kyiv supermarkets.
- Six employees of the Silpo supermarket chain were killed in the attacks.
- Logistics centers for major retailers like Silpo and Novus were hit.
- Ukraine's largest online marketplace, Rozetka, also had a distribution warehouse destroyed.
- Residents are stockpiling non-perishables due to fears of worsening shortages.
Kyiv is facing significant food supply disruptions, with supermarkets reporting empty shelves for everyday items like vegetables, dairy, and meat. This marks the first time since the early days of Russia's full-scale invasion that the capital has experienced such shortages. The crisis was triggered by a series of Russian ballistic missile attacks on August 5 that targeted distribution centers and warehouses belonging to major supermarket chains and online retailers.
Several large distributors and retailers, including Silpo and Novus, had their critical logistics infrastructure hit. Silpo reported that six of its employees were killed in the attacks on two of its distribution centers. Novus's main logistics hub, described as the 'heart of the entire network,' was targeted for the second time. Ukraine's largest online marketplace, Rozetka, also saw its main distribution warehouse, which handled over 100,000 orders daily, completely destroyed.
The shortages have prompted residents to stockpile non-perishable goods, fearing a worsening situation. Many are reviving memories of the scarcity experienced in early 2022. While the current situation has not reached the severity of the initial invasion period, the sight of empty shelves is a stark reminder. Some stores have begun placing signs on bare shelves stating, 'Russia destroyed this product.'
Retailers are working to restore normal distribution, and residents are also turning to alternative sources like farmer's markets. Supermarkets have assured customers that restocking efforts are underway, aiming to replenish shelves by Ukraine's Independence Day on August 24. The disruptions highlight the vulnerability of supply chains to targeted attacks, even as Ukraine's infrastructure adapts.