Key facts
- Ukraine has expanded its drone attacks into Russia, targeting energy infrastructure and logistics.
- Ukrainian officials view Russian civilian casualties as collateral damage, an acceptable price for deeper strikes.
- In July alone, Russian authorities reported 79 civilians killed and 601 injured by Ukrainian attacks.
- President Zelenskyy cited Wildberries' alleged role in supplying sanctioned drone components as justification for targeting the company.
- Experts note that while Ukrainian strikes are not deliberately targeting civilians, the rising toll is not causing Kyiv to reconsider its approach.
Ukraine has significantly broadened its long-range drone campaign against Russia since July, extending beyond military targets to include the nation's oil and gas industry and major logistics hubs like Wildberries, Russia's equivalent of Amazon. This strategic shift, aimed at inflicting economic damage and 'bringing the war back home,' also signals a growing acceptance by Ukrainian authorities of Russian civilian casualties as a consequence of deeper strikes into enemy territory.
Official figures indicate a marked increase in civilian deaths and injuries within Russia attributed to Ukrainian attacks. In July alone, Russian authorities reported 79 civilians killed and 601 injured. The UN estimates that 253 civilians were killed in Russian territory by Ukrainian attacks in 2025, though it notes it could not independently verify these numbers. President Zelenskyy has defended targeting Wildberries, stating it has been used to supply sanctioned components for drone production, and that Russian soldiers use the platform for supplies. Ukrainian lawmaker Maryana Bezuhla echoed this sentiment, arguing that Russia's logistics system supports its war of aggression and that Russia has consistently targeted Ukrainian civilians throughout the conflict.
While Ukrainian officials maintain that any civilian casualties are collateral damage and that strikes are not deliberately aimed at civilian districts, they are not reconsidering their approach despite the rising toll. This stance is contrasted with Russia's actions, which include deliberate targeting of Ukrainian civilian infrastructure like apartment buildings, hospitals, and schools. Rosemary DiCarlo, UN Under-Secretary-General, has noted Russia's clear pattern of targeting urban centers with large populations, and the UN has verified over 16,874 Ukrainian civilian deaths since the full-scale invasion began. DiCarlo has also expressed concern over Ukraine's drone attacks, stating they violate international humanitarian law if directed at civilians or civilian infrastructure.
This tactical shift by Ukraine has raised concerns among some European officials, who fear potential Russian escalation and a possible erosion of Western support. The ability to conduct these strikes has been enabled by Ukraine's increasing domestic drone manufacturing capabilities and a perceived reduction in U.S. leverage due to cuts in assistance. Experts caution that while fighting an existential war may necessitate difficult choices, the bombing of civilians historically can harden resistance rather than weaken it, and risks alienating international allies.