Ozon, the country’s second‑largest e‑commerce platform, confirmed that Ukrainian drone strikes targeted four of its logistics hubs in southern Russia on Monday. The attacks mark the sixth facility hit since August 22, underscoring the growing vulnerability of supply‑chain infrastructure in the region.
Facilities hit and immediate impact
The company reported a fire at its Makhachkala hub in Dagestan, where preliminary information indicated several people were injured. Operations at that site have been halted while emergency crews work to contain the blaze.
Workers at warehouses in Adygeysk, in the Adygeya Republic, and Nevinnomyssk, in the Stavropol region, were evacuated as a precaution. Ozon later clarified that the facilities in Adygeya and Stavropol sustained no damage.
In the Krasnodar region, a large fire broke out at the Enem facility. The company did not provide details on injuries at that site, but confirmed the fire was significant.
Market reaction
News of the attacks sent Ozon’s shares down as much as 12% on the Moscow Exchange. The decline also affected its major shareholder, private‑equity firm AFK Sistema, whose stock fell nearly 13%.
Context of the attacks
Ozon joins rival Wildberries as a major Russian e‑commerce firm targeted by Ukrainian drone operations. The first strike on Ozon’s logistics centre in the Samara region occurred on August 22, prompting a temporary shutdown of that site.
These incidents reflect a broader pattern of Ukrainian drone activity aimed at disrupting Russian commercial and logistical assets in the southern and western parts of the country. Analysts note that such attacks can have ripple effects on supply chains, regional economies, and the broader business climate.
Company response
Ozon issued a statement emphasizing the safety of its employees and the swift evacuation of staff from the affected sites. The company said it is cooperating with local authorities to investigate the incidents and to restore operations as quickly as possible.
While the company has not disclosed the extent of damage to inventory or infrastructure, it indicated that the Makhachkala hub’s operations are currently suspended pending a full safety assessment.
Looking ahead
Ozon’s leadership faces the challenge of maintaining service continuity amid ongoing security threats. The company has previously highlighted its investment in diversified logistics networks to mitigate regional risks, but the recent attacks raise questions about the resilience of those measures.
Stakeholders, including investors and regional partners, will be watching closely for updates on the recovery timeline and any further security developments that could affect the Russian e‑commerce sector.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
