Ukraine strikes Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries, causing billions in damage

Ukraine has launched drone attacks against at least five logistics centers belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, inflicting an estimated $2 billion in damages. The strikes, which ignited a massive fire at a facility near Crimea, are being framed by Ukraine as a justified response to the company's alleged involvement in supplying the Russian military.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X that the "remote sanctions" successfully hit targets in southern Russia, supplying components for drones, navigation equipment, and other military gear. "We are rightfully returning the war to where it came from – to Russia," he asserted.

Wildberries, often called the "Russian Amazon," was founded in 2004 by Tatiana Bakalchuk, who began the e-commerce business while on maternity leave. It has since expanded across former Soviet states, the UAE, and Slovakia, becoming Russia's dominant online marketplace. Despite its success, the company has faced scrutiny for allegedly selling items like plush toys in "Z" uniforms, board games about the "special military operation," and military equipment.

Russia has condemned the attacks as terrorism and strikes on civilian targets. However, some experts suggest that continued strikes on Wildberries could impact Russia more significantly than attacks on oil refineries, highlighting the company's crucial role in the Russian economy, comparable to that of Gazprom.

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We are rightfully returning the war to where it came from – to Russia.