Estonian intelligence estimates Russia's losses from Ukraine's strike on Wildberries warehouses
Photo: Russia faces billions in losses following Ukrainian strikes on Wildberries (wikipedia.org)
Successful long-range strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the warehouses of the Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries are dealing a tangible blow to the Russian economy. Direct losses from these attacks could reach up to $2 billion, ERR reports.
Why a civilian marketplace became a target
According to the outlet, a report by the Estonian Defense Forces Intelligence Center notes that over the past week, Ukrainian drones attacked Wildberries warehouses in the Moscow and Tambov regions, as well as in the Krasnodar and Stavropol krai.
Despite being a civilian retail platform, the marketplace is actively used to supply the Russian army. Russian units and volunteers use it to purchase military gear, ranging from uniforms and body armor to drones and spare parts.
"The majority of the Russian population uses Wildberries and its competitor Ozon, so the Ukrainian attacks have a significant effect in addition to direct economic damage, which could reach two billion dollars," the report states.
Intelligence underlines that these strikes further worsen the already weak business climate in Russia. In July, the relevant Russian Central Bank index fell to -3.6 points, marking the worst indicator since mid-2022.
Operation Molochka
Concurrently, Ukraine is continuing systematic strikes on Russian shipping and logistics in the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea as part of an operation codenamed Molochka.
The main targets are ships and road transport supplying the Russian forces in Crimea.
Key consequences of Ukrainian strikes:
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Logistics reduction: The overland flow of road transport to Crimea dropped by 70% in June, with severe restrictions currently in place on roads.
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Strikes on the fleet: Around 200 vessels have been attacked (mostly in the Sea of Azov), significantly undermining Russian fuel exports and grain supplies.
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Energy blackout: Since early July, over 100 energy facilities have been hit in Crimea. More than 50% of the peninsula's population remains without power, and the occupation authorities have admitted their inability to even draw up blackout schedules.
To protect transportation, the Russian command is forced to redeploy additional air defense units and Rubikon special forces from other directions.
Strikes on Wildberries warehouses in Russia
On the night of July 22, Krasnodar, Russia, came under a drone attack. A massive fire broke out on the premises of the Wildberries logistics center.
That same night, drones struck a Wildberries logistics center in Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol Krai. A powerful fire was also recorded there, and the attack was confirmed by local authorities.
Later, the first satellite photos of the fires at the Wildberries warehouses were published, allowing for an assessment of the scale of the consequences of the Ukrainian drone strikes.
