Ukraine drones hit Russian logistics hubs near Moscow, sparking massive fires

Major Russian logistics centers near Moscow were engulfed in flames after a coordinated Ukrainian drone attack on July 20. The strikes targeted the Wildberries distribution center in Koledino and the Yuzhnye Vrata logistics park near Domodedovo, both critical hubs for Russia's war machine.

The Wildberries center in Koledino is the e-commerce giant's largest and oldest distribution node. Yuzhnye Vrata is one of Russia's largest warehousing complexes, with over 180,000 square meters already operational. Ukraine's targeting of these civilian infrastructure sites is not random. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy explained that Russia utilizes Wildberries' network to transport sanctioned electronic components essential for manufacturing military drones and navigation equipment.

These attacks are part of a recent escalation. Wildberries facilities in Kotovsk (Tambov region) and Elektrostal (Moscow region) also caught fire on July 18. The Elektrostal fire produced a smoke plume visible from over 50 kilometers away. In addition to the logistics hubs, energy infrastructure around Moscow was also hit. On the night of July 20, explosions were reported in Podolsk, with a violent fire breaking out at an oil depot.

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Russia uses the cover and infrastructure of this large retailer to transport and distribute electronic components under international sanctions, essential parts for the manufacture of drones and military navigation equipment.