Ukraine’s Drone Campaign Targets Wildberries: A New Front in Russia’s War Economy
In a significant escalation of Ukraine’s deep-strike strategy, at least 20 Wildberries warehouses across Russia have been hit by Ukrainian drones since mid-July, according to satellite imagery released by Vantor. The attacks, which have caused extensive damage and fires, underscore the vulnerability of Russia’s critical infrastructure to long-range precision strikes. The latest incident, a second strike on a major warehouse in Volgograd, burned the facility to the ground, prompting Russian President Vladimir Putin to decree that the state can temporarily seize control of critical infrastructure if private owners fail to protect or rebuild it after such attacks.
Wildberries, often dubbed the ‘Russian Amazon,’ is the country’s largest online retailer and a linchpin of its e-commerce economy. The deliberate targeting of its logistics hubs is part of Ukraine’s broader ‘long-range sanctions’ campaign, which has also struck oil refineries, causing an energy crisis in Russia. Ukrainian officials state that the primary goal is to disrupt Russian military logistics and supplies, while a secondary aim is to damage the Russian economy and erode public support for the war.
The strikes have exposed the fragility of Russia’s wartime economy. Since 2022, Wildberries had rapidly expanded, but the January 2024 fire at its Saint Petersburg warehouse had already raised concerns about fire safety. Now, the drone campaign is forcing the company to grapple with unprecedented operational disruptions. The cryptic message from Ukrainian Special Forces Commander Robert ‘Magyar’ Brovdi, referencing ‘ozone concentrations’ and ‘poor wild berry yields,’ hinted at the coordinated nature of these attacks, blending humor with a clear warning.
As the conflict enters its fourth year, the targeting of commercial infrastructure like Wildberries marks a new phase in the war, where economic warfare is as crucial as battlefield engagements. Putin’s decree reflects the Kremlin’s desperation to maintain control, but it also highlights the growing challenge of protecting assets that are increasingly in the crosshairs of Ukraine’s long-range capabilities. The resilience of Russia’s economy, and its ability to sustain the war effort, will depend on how effectively it can adapt to this new reality.
Shimanta Das 
