Ukraine expands drone campaign to Ozon after Wildberries, hitting 16 targets in 24 hours
Ukraine launched a massive drone barrage across Russia and occupied Donbas, killing at least 12 people and damaging key economic infrastructure. The strikes targeted Wildberries and Ozon logistics hubs, Lukoil’s NORSI refinery, and military sites, with Kyiv claiming 16 hits in a single day. Ozon shares dropped nearly 30% as the campaign expanded from Wildberries to its rival, signaling a new phase of economic warfare against Russia’s e-commerce sector.
Key points
- Ukraine struck 16 targets in Russia overnight, including oil facilities, logistics hubs, and military sites, according to President Zelenskyy.
- At least 12 people were killed, including nine in a bus strike in occupied Lugansk and two in the Lipetsk region.
- Wildberries’ Kotovsk logistics center, covering 100,000 square meters, was completely destroyed by fire.
- Ozon shares fell nearly 30% after drone strikes on its warehouses in Samara, Krasnodar, and Dagestan.
- Lukoil’s NORSI refinery in Nizhny Novgorod was hit, causing a fire and damage assessment.
Background
Ukraine has targeted Wildberries since mid-July, accusing it of supporting Russia’s military supply chain. Previous strikes in July and August caused casualties and forced Moscow to consider state bailouts for the retailer. The current campaign marks an escalation, extending to Ozon and other industrial sites.
How outlets are covering it
Al Jazeera emphasizes the human toll and the destruction of Wildberries’ Kotovsk hub, noting 12 deaths and 426 drones intercepted by Russia. CNBC focuses on the financial impact, highlighting Ozon’s 30% share drop and the strategic shift from Wildberries to Ozon to pressure Russia’s economy. The Moscow Times reports on Ozon’s Ufa warehouse damage and unconfirmed strikes in Bashkortostan, while noting Russia’s counter-strikes on Ukrainian steelworks and ports. All sources agree on the scale of the drone campaign but differ in emphasis: Al Jazeera on casualties, CNBC on economic disruption, and The Moscow Times on regional infrastructure damage.
Why it matters
The strikes signal a shift in Ukraine’s strategy from military to economic targets, aiming to disrupt Russia’s wartime economy. The damage to Wildberries and Ozon, which together represent over 5% of Russia’s GDP, could strain Moscow’s financial stability and force further state intervention. The civilian casualties also highlight the escalating risks of cross-border drone warfare.
What to watch
Russia may retaliate against Ukrainian economic infrastructure, as Putin threatened. Ukraine could continue targeting Ozon and other logistics hubs to maximize economic pressure. The financial sector may face further stress as banks and businesses absorb the costs of damaged supply chains.
- Ukrainian strikes kill 12 in Russia and Donbas, target Wildberries Al Jazeera
- Ukraine is targeting Russia’s retail giants. Ozon is the next economic pressure point CNBC
- A Wildberries depot in Russia is destroyed as Ukraine extends its drone campaign AP News
- Ukrainian Drones Attack Ozon Warehouses in Overnight Barrage The Moscow Times
- Russian marketplace Ozon reports drone strikes on logistics facilities in Ufa and Orenburg | Ukrainska Pravda Українська правда
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