Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Biggest Online Store Daily, Hitting War Economy
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Since mid-July, Ukraine has launched near-daily attacks on warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer. Kyiv says the strikes are meant to cut off supplies to Russian troops on the front line. However, economic experts argue the real damage goes much deeper, shaking Russia’s civilian economy.
Wildberries is a household name in Russia, selling everything from clothes to electronics. By targeting its storage hubs, Ukraine aims to disrupt the logistics that keep both soldiers and shoppers supplied. Ukrainian officials claim that military gear and daily necessities for troops are often routed through these same warehouses.
But the impact extends far beyond the battlefield. Analysts note that Wildberries is a critical pillar of Russian commerce. Repeated strikes force the company to halt operations, delay deliveries, and rebuild damaged sites. This creates a ripple effect: small businesses that rely on the platform lose income, and consumers face empty shelves.
The attacks also signal a shift in Ukraine’s strategy. Instead of hitting only military targets, Kyiv is now aiming at economic infrastructure that supports the war effort. While Moscow calls the strikes “terrorist acts,” independent observers say they are a calculated move to weaken Russia’s financial stability.
For now, Wildberries continues to operate, but the constant threat has raised costs and uncertainty. Experts warn that if the strikes persist, the damage to Russia’s domestic trade could become a long-term problem, far beyond the immediate loss of goods.