Wildberries logistics center ablaze after Ukrainian drone strikes

Russian authorities said on Wednesday that a fire erupted at a Wildberries logistics center in the central Tambov region following overnight Ukrainian drone attacks, with local officials reporting extensive damage to the e-commerce giant's facility. Tambov Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov stated in a Telegram post that air defenses downed 16 drones targeting Kotovsk, a town south of the regional capital.

"As a result of Ukrainian drone strikes, a fire broke out at the Wildberries logistics center. The fire covered over 100,000 square meters," he said, noting that staff had evacuated following an air raid alert. One employee suffered a concussion from the blast wave according to preliminary reports, Pervyshov added, while a drone crash also ignited a house in a nearby gardening community.

Retailer confirms assault

Wildberries confirmed the attack through its press service, reporting that fire crews remained on site and new deliveries were suspended. The incident marks the latest in a sustained Ukrainian campaign against the online retailer that began in mid-July and has since targeted logistics hubs across Moscow, Leningrad, Krasnodar and Crimea.

Civilian status disputed

Kyiv has accused Wildberries of facilitating Moscow's military supply chain, though Russian officials and the company maintain the facilities serve purely civilian purposes. The Russian Defense Ministry said air defenses destroyed 426 Ukrainian drones overnight across 15 regions and Crimea, while Ukrainian authorities have not commented on the Tambov strikes.