Credited from: INDIATIMES
Ukrainian drones have once again targeted warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, resulting in injuries to at least 15 individuals. These incidents follow closely on the heels of prior attacks that had already left eight workers dead and over 60 injured. The latest strikes occurred in the Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk regions, with the company's facilities forced to evacuate following the attacks, according to sources from both BBC and Reuters.
The rationale behind these strikes, as articulated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centers on the claim that such logistics hubs are utilized to supply components crucial for Russia's military efforts, including drones and navigation equipment. These attacks represent a widening strategy by Kyiv to pressurize the Kremlin amidst ongoing hostilities, as emphasized by both India Times and Al Jazeera.
Wildberries' owner Tatyana Kim expressed her distress regarding the attacks, stating, "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." In recent days, the company has seen significant disruptions, with many small and medium-sized businesses relying on its platform now facing losses and uncertainty, as reported by BBC and India Times.
Ukrainian officials assert that their drone strikes aim to cripple Russian logistics and supply chains, a sentiment echoed by military analysts and experts predicting significant economic impact on Russia. The operations come at a time when the Russian economy is already strained, facing rising inflation and decreased revenues from oil and gas exports, which further exacerbates the challenges for local businesses dependent on platforms like Wildberries, highlighted in various articles, including those from India Times and BBC.
The Kremlin, however, has denied Ukraine's claims about the use of Wildberries for military supply transactions. The ongoing conflict has also seen a notable increase in drone warfare, with significant damage inflicted upon urban and commercial areas within Russia, according to reports from Reuters and Al Jazeera.