Ukraine launched fresh drone strikes on facilities linked to Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, overnight on Monday, as at least five people were killed at an industrial site near Moscow.
Russian officials said another 10 people were injured in the attack, which occurred about 69 kilometres south of the Kremlin. While authorities did not officially identify the industrial site, Ukrainian media reported it was connected to Wildberries. The location was also listed on Russia’s Yandex search engine as being associated with the retailer.
Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Wildberries warehouses in recent weeks, claiming the company supplies equipment and logistics support to the Russian military. Moscow has denied the allegation.
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 320 Ukrainian drones overnight.
Officials also confirmed that two additional Wildberries facilities were hit in the St Petersburg and Tver regions. The company acknowledged damage to its warehouse in the St Petersburg region but did not issue further comment.
Videos circulating on social media showed a warehouse engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke rising above the building.
Authorities in the Samara region also confirmed that a Wildberries warehouse struck on Sunday had been completely destroyed, along with all goods stored inside.
Moscow region governor Andrei Vorobyov said the industrial site in Chekhov suffered extensive damage. According to him, a warehouse caught fire while an electrical substation and an administrative building were also damaged.
Seven of the injured remain in moderate condition, while one person is reported to be in serious condition.
Exchange of Strikes
Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine also caused civilian casualties. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said an 89-year-old woman was killed in Mykolaiv, while two girls aged two and 12 were among seven people injured.
In Sumy, a Russian strike on a residential neighbourhood killed a woman and two young girls, aged five and 10, while four others were wounded.
Russian attacks also injured two people in Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, while a food warehouse was set ablaze in Dnipro, emergency officials said.
The exchange of strikes follows Sunday’s drone incident at a beach in Russia’s Krasnodar region, where officials said seven people were killed and 58 others injured. Verified social media footage showed a drone crashing onto the beach before exploding as tourists watched from the shoreline.
Russian authorities accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilians. Ukraine has not commented on the beach incident, and both countries continue to deny intentionally attacking civilian targets.
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