Key facts
- Wildberries is hiding military goods in search results following Ukrainian drone strikes on its warehouses.
- Ukraine is targeting Wildberries as dual-use items that can be used on the battlefield are available on the platform.
- Seven Wildberries warehouses have been hit by drone strikes since the weekend, with two hit overnight on July 24, 2026.
- Approximately 10% of Wildberries' logistics hubs have been damaged.
- Wildberries will compensate sellers for goods lost in Ukrainian strikes, a move that could contribute to inflation.
- The strikes are impacting small and medium-sized businesses that market their products on Wildberries.
Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, has begun hiding military goods in its search results following a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on its warehouses. The attacks, which have hit multiple logistics centers across Russia, are aimed at disrupting the Russian army's supply chain, as the platform sells dual-use items that can be utilized on the battlefield.
According to Kyiv, the targeting of Wildberries is intended to impede Russia's war effort. Experts note that while official channels handle arms procurement, Russian military units and individual soldiers often purchase necessary items like uniforms, generators, and drones through online marketplaces. Pro-war volunteer movements also use these platforms to acquire crowdfunded military equipment.
The strikes have also had a significant economic impact on Russia's small and medium-sized businesses that rely on Wildberries for sales. Hundreds of thousands of these businesses are facing losses, with many lacking insurance or financial reserves to cover disruptions. Wildberries has promised compensation to sellers, though the terms may not fully cover losses and could contribute to inflation.
Economists suggest that the Russian government may subsidize Wildberries through favorable loans, potentially leading to increased inflation. The attacks on warehouses are also expected to result in higher prices for consumers due to more difficult logistics. While the overall Russian economy may not be severely harmed, the effects are anticipated to be felt by millions of Russians, impacting jobs and the crucial online sales sector.