Ukrainian long-range drone strikes hitting Russian logistics hubs operated by the online retailer Wildberries have damaged roughly 10 percent of the company’s fulfillment capacity, according to a report by the Russian newspaper Kommersant. The attacks, which struck facilities from St. Petersburg to Simferopol over a one-week period in July 2026, have ignited massive fires and triggered severe financial losses for the marketplace and up to 800’000 independent merchants, according to industry analysts cited by t-online.
Wildberries Infrastructure Damage and Financial Impact
Logistics centers in Elektrostal near Moscow, St. Petersburg, Simferopol on the annexed Crimean Peninsula, and Yekaterinburg sustained direct hits during a wave of coordinated drone attacks. According to Kommersant, the structural destruction could cost Wildberries up to 370 million Swiss francs to rebuild, representing nearly a fifth of the platform’s 2025 net profit. Merchant losses in the Moscow and Tambow regions alone are estimated at nearly 150 billion rubles, figures that continued to climb following subsequent strikes in St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg, as reported by t-online.
Did you know? Unlike Amazon, Wildberries operates primarily as a marketplace model rather than stocking its own inventory, allowing hundreds of thousands of independent sellers to store and ship products through its centralized logistics network.
Small Merchant Losses and Merchant Reactions
The destruction of major fulfillment hubs has hit small and medium-sized enterprises hard. Blogger Marina Gorschkowa stated in a video that 35 to 40 percent of her cosmetic inventory was destroyed, leaving her worried her business might close. Another independent seller cited by the British broadcaster BBC reported losing one million rubles after building her business independently as a mother of a disabled child. Arina, a clothing merchant, told the independent Russian portal Bereg that the fire at the Elektrostal warehouse caused roughly 6,500 Swiss francs in personal damages and left her feeling “in the lurch.” Another entrepreneur, Olga, told Bereg that she discovered the disaster through Telegram chat messages and videos, describing the scale of the destruction and loss of life as shocking.
Compensation Promises Versus Merchant Skepticism
Wildberries-Chefin Tatjana Kim announced on Wednesday that the company plans to compensate sellers for lost merchandise, prioritizing the smallest and least protected entrepreneurs. However, numerous complaints have surfaced online regarding the adequacy of proposed payouts. Merchants interviewed by Bereg expressed deep skepticism, anticipating empty promises rather than actual reimbursement, with some actively searching for alternative e-commerce platforms to manage their inventory.
Broader Ukrainian Campaign Strategy
The drone strikes on Wildberries facilities form part of a broader Ukrainian military campaign targeting critical civilian and economic infrastructure inside Russia. According to t-online, the strategic objective of these long-range operations—which also target oil refineries and terminals, causing widespread domestic fuel shortages—is to pressure the Kremlin into negotiating an end to the ongoing war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy outlined the scope of this pressure campaign in late June 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Wildberries?
Wildberries is a major Russian online retail platform and marketplace that handles logistics and fulfillment for approximately 800’000 third-party merchants and small business owners.
How much damage did the drone strikes cause?
According to Kommersant, the attacks damaged roughly 10 percent of Wildberries’ total logistics capacity, with rebuilding costs estimated at up to 370 million Swiss francs.
Will affected sellers receive compensation?
Wildberries leadership has pledged to reimburse vendors for destroyed stock, focusing on small businesses, though affected merchants remain skeptical about receiving adequate payouts.