Ukraine drone strikes cripple Russia's richest woman's e-commerce empire

Ukrainian drone attacks are escalating, shifting from energy infrastructure to targeting major supply chain networks within Russia. The e-commerce giant Wildberries, founded by Russia's richest woman Tatyana Kim, has become a primary target. Kyiv claims these strikes are justified because the company supplies Russian soldiers and holds a significant share of the Russian retail market, estimated at 10%.

Since mid-July, at least 23 Wildberries facilities have been attacked, resulting in billions of dollars worth of goods destroyed and the deaths of nine employees. This marks a new phase in the conflict, with Kyiv employing aggressive tactics against a single private enterprise for the first time. The company's founder, Tatyana Kim, a former English teacher who built the e-commerce empire with her husband, has denounced the attacks as illogical and aimed at destabilizing Russia and inciting panic.

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The terrorists' actions are devoid of logic, common sense, or reason, nor can they have any. The 'enemy' is trying to 'exert pressure, destabilize, and cause panic and shock among a large number of people.'

Data Insight, a Moscow-based e-commerce consultancy, reports that Wildberries has lost up to a third of its warehouse space and goods valued as high as $5.9 billion. Analysts note that the company's largest warehouses are now nearly empty. The attacks have also impacted small businesses storing inventory in these warehouses, leaving them concerned about compensation and future sales prospects.

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Wildberries' largest warehouses are almost empty.