Ukraine Strikes Russia's 'Amazon' Again, Killing One and Injuring 14 | WATCH VIDEO

The strikes aimed at warehouses in Krasnodar and Stavropol regions were linked to supplying the Russian military with equipment. Wildberries founder expressed sorrow for the impact on employees and emphasized the need to continue operations

Ukrainian drones have struck logistics centres operated by Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, for the second time in less than a week, killing one person and injuring 14 others, according to Russian officials. The overnight attacks targeted warehouse complexes in the south-western regions of Krasnodar and Stavropol, prompting the evacuation of employees.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the facilities were “involved in providing the Russian army with drone components, navigation equipment and other gear”.

The latest strikes came four days after Ukraine targeted Wildberries warehouses in central Russia, an attack that Russian officials said killed eight people.

Wildberries, often described as Russia’s equivalent of Amazon, employs about 48,000 people.

Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim said workers were evacuated from logistics hubs in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk following the attacks. “There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks on ordinary people, on our employees, on us, who are simply doing our jobs,” she wrote on Telegram. “But these situations demonstrate the most important thing: we must continue to do what we do for the benefit of people.”

Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said 10 people were injured in the attack on a warehouse complex, with three in a serious condition. He later confirmed that a young woman had died in hospital from her injuries.

In neighbouring Stavropol region, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said five people were injured after a warehouse complex on the outskirts of Nevinnomyssk was hit.

Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, described Wildberries as a “vital component” of Russia’s logistics network.

The attacks have also disrupted hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses that rely on Wildberries to store and distribute their products.

Unlike Amazon, Wildberries and its rival Ozon primarily operate as online marketplaces, connecting independent sellers with customers while handling storage, deliveries and payments.

One trader, Elena, whose surname was withheld, told BBC Russian that clothing destroyed in the attacks represented her only source of income.

“If there are more strikes, I probably won’t manage. It’s terrifying to keep loading my goods into what feels like a furnace,” she said.

Another seller, whose social media post has been widely shared, wrote: “I am a mother of a disabled child, I’ve built the business myself.” “I’ve lost one million roubles and it’s just my problem now. I’m out of strength. We’re already getting screwed over from every direction as it is,” she added.