Russian Strikes Devastate Epicentr Retail Network Across Four Ukrainian Cities

Key points

• Epicentr, a major Ukrainian home improvement and retail chain, reported that Russian attacks damaged or destroyed facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, and Poltava between October 24 and 25, 2026.
• The company stated the strikes amounted to the 'total destruction of the network' but did not specify the extent of the damage or when the affected stores might reopen.
• A 52-year-old woman was injured in the attack on the Poltava hypermarket, according to the Poltava Oblast Military Administration; no other civilian casualties were reported for the other locations.
• Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, ten of Epicentr's shopping centers have been completely destroyed and 13 others damaged, according to the company.
• President Zelenskyy noted that Russian forces first struck a hypermarket and then targeted arriving emergency services, injuring first responders in at least one instance.

Background

Epicentr, founded in 2003, operated 72 hypermarkets across Ukraine before the 2022 invasion. The company has faced repeated attacks on its infrastructure, including logistics hubs and retail sites, as part of a broader Russian campaign targeting civilian infrastructure. Recent months have seen strikes on other retail and logistics networks, such as Nova Poshta and telecom facilities, highlighting a sustained pattern of attacks on commercial and civilian assets.

How outlets are covering it

The Kyiv Independent emphasizes the scale of the destruction and the impact on civilian infrastructure, noting that Epicentr described the attacks as 'total destruction of the network.' Briefs Finance highlights the broader pattern of strikes on logistics and retail hubs, noting that Russia claimed some targets stored dual-use goods for the Ukrainian military. Both sources agree on the locations and timing of the strikes but differ in emphasis: The Kyiv Independent focuses on the human toll and the company's response, while Briefs Finance contextualizes the strikes within a wider pattern of attacks on commercial infrastructure and cross-border escalation.

Why it matters

The strikes on Epicentr highlight the continued targeting of civilian infrastructure in the Russia-Ukraine war, with significant implications for supply chains and retail operations. The attacks underscore the risks to businesses with exposure to Ukrainian and Russian infrastructure, as cross-border strikes continue even as peace negotiations are discussed. The damage to Epicentr's network may disrupt retail and logistics operations, affecting both local and international supply chains.

What to watch

Epicentr has not specified when the affected facilities might reopen, and the extent of the damage remains unclear. The company may face challenges in restoring its network and resuming operations. The broader pattern of strikes on civilian infrastructure suggests that similar attacks may continue, with potential implications for other retail and logistics networks. Peace negotiations, including trilateral talks with the US and Russia, are expected to resume after November 4, but the ongoing strikes may complicate these discussions.