Ukrainian drone strikes have hit the warehouses of Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, sending potentially hundreds of millions of dollars in inventory up in flames. The strikes, which occurred over the weekend and early Wednesday, targeted Wildberries distribution centers in the Moscow region and other parts of Russia.

Impact on Russian Citizens

The attacks have brought Moscow’s war on Ukraine closer to home, disrupting the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Russians. Many small-business owners who use Wildberries for distribution have taken to social media to express their frustration and concern about the impact on their businesses.

According to regional officials, at least nine people were killed in the strikes, including seven in Kotovsk and one in Elektrostal. The Ukrainian government has acknowledged carrying out the attacks, stating that the warehouses were legitimate military targets because they supply Russia’s frontline troops in Ukraine.

Russian Response

The Russian government has denied that Wildberries supplies the Russian military, but a search of the company’s website reveals that it sells body armor, first aid kits, and other military equipment. The Kremlin has acknowledged the economic damage inflicted by the strikes, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the situation is “indeed difficult” for Wildberries and small and medium-sized businesses.

The economic impact of the strikes is not yet clear, but preliminary estimates suggest that Wildberries may have lost up to 9% of its warehouse space, with restoration costs potentially reaching 33 billion rubles ($421 million). Losses for sellers’ goods could be as high as 150 billion rubles ($1.9 billion).

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.