Russia’s E-Commerce Warehouses Became Targets of War: 8 Dead, 60 Injured
Two major e-commerce warehouses belonging to Wildberries, one of Russia’s largest online retailers, were targeted in drone attacks carried out by Ukraine. Eight people were killed and more than 60 were injured in fires that broke out at logistics centers in the Moscow and Tambov regions.
E-Commerce Warehouses Struck in Two Different Regions
One of the attacks on the e-commerce warehouses took place in the city of Kotovsk in the Tambov region, approximately 360 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The other attack targeted a Wildberries logistics center in the city of Elektrostal, located around 50 kilometers east of Moscow. Major fires broke out at both facilities, while footage released from Elektrostal showed thick smoke covering the sky.
Tambov Regional Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov announced that seven people working the night shift at the warehouse in Kotovsk died at the scene, while 25 others were injured. Pervyshov stated that 28 drones approaching the facility were shot down by air defense systems.
According to Moscow Regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov, dozens of people were injured in the attacks in and around Elektrostal. One of the injured later died in hospital. Drone debris also struck a kindergarten and caused a fire.
Statement on Drone Production and Navigation Equipment
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that two major logistics facilities in the Moscow and Tambov regions were hit in the attacks. Zelensky claimed that the centers were used to supply sanctioned components used in drone production and navigation equipment. Ukraine also announced that it had targeted an oil facility in Noginsk that it said supplied fuel to the Russian military.
Wildberries Co-Founder and CEO Tatyana Kim described the attacks as a “terrible night” for both the company and Russia, and offered her condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. The company reported that the fire in Kotovsk had been brought under control. (e-commerce warehouse)