Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian logistics hub injure 15 in second wave of attacks

Ukrainian drones have struck logistics hubs belonging to Russian online retailer Wildberries in the Krasnodar and Stavropol regions overnight on Tuesday, injuring 15 people. The attacks, described by regional governors as a 'massive attack', resulted in five injuries in Nevinnomyssk and ten in Krasnodar, with three patients in serious condition. This follows similar strikes on Wildberries facilities in Tambov and Elektrostal four days prior, which killed eight and injured 62.

Kyiv claims the warehouses supply components for Russian military drones and navigation equipment. The strategic rationale for striking these warehouses is to disrupt Russian logistics, the supply of dual-use goods, critical electronics, and sanctioned items to the Russian army and arms manufacturers. Such strikes aim to inflict collateral damage on the Russian economy and create a psychological impact on Russian society and war support.

Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim expressed distress over the impact on employees and affirmed the company's commitment to continuing operations. "There are no words to describe all the feelings and emotions caused by the attacks on ordinary people, on our employees, on us, who are simply doing our jobs," she wrote on Telegram. "But these situations demonstrate the most important thing: we must continue to do what we do for the benefit of people."

Regional authorities confirmed the extent of the damage and the scope of the overnight assault. Governor Vladimir Vladimirov confirmed the five injuries in Nevinnomyssk were treated as outpatients. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev confirmed the ten injuries in Krasnodar and the fatality in Armavir, where a company was also struck. An oil depot was hit, causing a fire, while drone fragments struck two apartment buildings in Krasnodar and two private homes in Dinskaya, with no reported injuries.

Serhii Kuzan, chairman of the Ukrainian Security and Cooperation Centre, stated that Wildberries' website has been used by Russian volunteers to purchase military equipment. "The primary rationale for striking Wildberries' warehouses is to disrupt Russian logistics and the supply of dual-use goods, critical electronics, sanctioned goods and the like to the Russian army and Russian arms manufacturers," he said. He noted that the collateral damage from such strikes could have a serious impact on the Russian economy, as well as a psychological effect on Russian society and, likely, on continued support for the war.

Ukraine has not yet confirmed or posted details about the new drone attacks, leaving the attribution of responsibility for this specific wave unconfirmed by Kyiv. The exact nature of the "dual-use goods" or specific components supplied from these specific warehouses remains based on claims by Ukrainian officials rather than independent verification.