Russia and Ukraine unleash one of their biggest waves of drone and missile strikes, hitting civilian areas, a Kyiv book market, a steel plant and Wildberries warehouses.

<p>Russia and Ukraine unleash one of their biggest waves of drone and missile strikes, hitting civilian areas, a Kyiv book market, a steel plant and Wildberries warehouses.&nbsp;</p>

Kyiv’s book market, Moscow’s Wildberries: ‘Massive’ overnight strikes devastate Russia, Ukraine

Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, is facing a sharp pullback in advertising after a series of Ukrainian drone strikes on its logistics infrastructure.

Russia-Ukraine war: drone strikes hit Wildberries’ ad business 

<p>Tatyana Kim, the founder of Wildberries, the Russian version of Amazon, is facing one of the biggest challenges of her professional career. She overcame her ex-husband, the father of her seven children and navigated wartime Kremlin politics. But now her empire is burning, billions of dollars going up in smoke.&nbsp;</p><h2>Ukraine's shifting war strategy&nbsp;</h2><p>Ukraine's expanded bombing campaign has shifted strategy from energy infrastructure to major domestic supply networks, targeting Wildberries warehouses. Kyiv has targeted at least 23 warehouses night after night; nine of the company's workers have been killed.</p><p>There is no logic, common sense or rationality in the actions of the terrorists, nor can there be,” Kim said, referring to the Ukrainians. She said the “enemy” was trying to “apply pressure, destabilise and provoke panic and shock among a large number of people.” She said that the goods Wildberries were selling were no different from Amazon or Alibaba.</p><p>Many small businesses that store their inventories at Wildberries warehouses have seen their supply destroyed, pushing them into uncertainty about compensation and future sales. Ukraine argues that Wildberries, which accounts for 10 per cent of all Russian retail sales, supplies the Russian Army and is a legitimate target.&nbsp;</p><p>According to Moscow-based Data Insight, an e-commerce consultancy, Wildberries has lost as much as 480 billion rubles’ worth of goods and up to one-third of its warehouse space in the Ukrainian attacks.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-chinese-premier-zhu-rongji-dies-97-economic-legacy-1786534204574"><strong>Zhu Rongji dies at 97: How the former Chinese premier reshaped China’s economy</strong></a></p><h2>Kim's battle with her ex-husband</h2><p>In 2004, Tatyana Kim approved a merger between Wildberries and Russ Group, a much smaller outdoor advertising firm. The move was personally overseen by Vladimir Putin. It was denounced by her ex-husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, as a corporate raid. Bakalchuk co-founded the company in 2004 but held only a 1per cent stake and fiercely opposed the merger. So much so that he showed up with armed Chechens in the Wildberries office in Moscow. It resulted in the death of two people. Vladislav was backed by Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, and Kim was backed by Suleyman Kerimov, a powerful Kremlin-connected billionaire tycoon linked to Russ Group. Kim won the legal battle and stripped Bakalchuk of his 1 per cent share of Wildberries and also received $2.6 million in financial compensation. She divorced Bakalchuk and reverted to her maiden Korean name Kim, as well as won full custody of their seven children. Kim, 50, who defeated her ex-husband, backed by a Chechen warlord, is now scrambling to adapt to the new crisis hitting her empire.</p><h2>Why is Wildberries important?</h2><p>Wildberries controls roughly 45 per cent of Russia’s entire e-commerce market. It processes over 52 per cent of all online orders nationwide. It holds roughly 1 million independent sellers, and over 85 per cent of these are small and medium businesses. It employs roughly 4 million people across Russia. It has nearly 95,000 pickup points across the country, and more than half the nation’s population makes purchases at least once a month.</p><p>Wildberries has been moving to decentralise its distribution and redoing its logistics infrastructure as quickly as possible. The company has made two rounds of voluntary payouts to at least 80,000 small and medium businesses and is rolling out limited insurance that sellers can buy for drone attacks. Alexei Sazanov, the deputy finance minister of Russia, said that the government is planning an aid package as well as tax breaks for sellers.</p><h2>&nbsp;</h2>

Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim faces mounting losses as Ukrainian attacks target warehouses, threatening Russia’s biggest e-commerce empire.

Tatyana Kim, the founder of Wildberries, the Russian version of Amazon, is facing one of the biggest challenges of her professional career. She overcame her ex-husband, the father of her seven children and navigated wartime Kremlin politics. But now her empire is burning, billions of dollars going up in smoke. Ukraine's shifting war strategy Ukraine's expanded bombing campaign has shifted strategy from energy infrastructure to major domestic supply networks, targeting Wildberries warehouses. Kyiv has targeted at least 23 warehouses night after night; nine of the company's workers have been killed. There is no logic, common sense or rationality in the actions of the terrorists, nor can there be,” Kim said, referring to the Ukrainians. She said the “enemy” was trying to “apply pressure, destabilise and provoke panic and shock among a large number of people.” She said that the goods Wildberries were selling were no different from Amazon or Alibaba. Many small businesses that store their inventories at Wildberries warehouses have seen their supply destroyed, pushing them into uncertainty about compensation and future sales. Ukraine argues that Wildberries, which accounts for 10 per cent of all Russian retail sales, supplies the Russian Army and is a legitimate target. According to Moscow-based Data Insight, an e-commerce consultancy, Wildberries has lost as much as 480 billion rubles’ worth of goods and up to one-third of its warehouse space in the Ukrainian attacks. Also Read: Zhu Rongji dies at 97: How the former Chinese premier reshaped China’s economy Kim's battle with her ex-husband In 2004, Tatyana Kim approved a merger between Wildberries and Russ Group, a much smaller outdoor advertising firm. The move was personally overseen by Vladimir Putin. It was denounced by her ex-husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, as a corporate raid. Bakalchuk co-founded the company in 2004 but held only a 1per cent stake and fiercely opposed the merger. So much so that he showed up with armed Chechens in the Wildberries office in Moscow. It resulted in the death of two people. Vladislav was backed by Chechen strongman Ramzan Kadyrov, and Kim was backed by Suleyman Kerimov, a powerful Kremlin-connected billionaire tycoon linked to Russ Group. Kim won the legal battle and stripped Bakalchuk of his 1 per cent share of Wildberries and also received $2.6 million in financial compensation. She divorced Bakalchuk and reverted to her maiden Korean name Kim, as well as won full custody of their seven children. Kim, 50, who defeated her ex-husband, backed by a Chechen warlord, is now scrambling to adapt to the new crisis hitting her empire. Why is Wildberries important? Wildberries controls roughly 45 per cent of Russia’s entire e-commerce market. It processes over 52 per cent of all online orders nationwide. It holds roughly 1 million independent sellers, and over 85 per cent of these are small and medium businesses. It employs roughly 4 million people across Russia. It has nearly 95,000 pickup points across the country, and more than half the nation’s population makes purchases at least once a month. Wildberries has been moving to decentralise its distribution and redoing its logistics infrastructure as quickly as possible. The company has made two rounds of voluntary payouts to at least 80,000 small and medium businesses and is rolling out limited insurance that sellers can buy for drone attacks. Alexei Sazanov, the deputy finance minister of Russia, said that the government is planning an aid package as well as tax breaks for sellers.

<p>Wildberries founder Tatyana Kim faces mounting losses as Ukrainian attacks target warehouses, threatening Russia’s biggest e-commerce empire.</p>

Russia’s richest woman Tatyana Kim under siege as Ukraine targets her Wildberries empire

<p>Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s war-related economic vulnerabilities has expanded beyond oil facilities and energy infrastructure to an unexpected new target: warehouses belonging to e-commerce giant Wildberries. In less than three weeks, Ukrainian drones have struck 23 Wildberries warehouses across Russia, killing nine employees and injuring several dozen others. Several warehouses have reportedly been forced to completely halt operations.</p><h2>What is Wildberries?</h2><p>Wildberries is a household name in Russia. Its distinctive purple-and-pink plastic bags are a familiar sight in towns and villages across the country. The company is Russia’s most popular online marketplace, with 79 million monthly users, more than half of the country’s population. Its reach is unmatched, both in the range of products available and the scale of its logistics network, which extends into some of Russia’s most remote regions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>For millions of Russians, Wildberries has become an essential part of everyday life, offering fast and convenient delivery. In sparsely populated areas, a Wildberries pickup point can sometimes be the only significant communal facility apart from a post office and a small local shop. The company’s success has also made its founder, Tatyana Kim, Russia’s richest woman.</p><h2>Why is Ukraine targeting Wildberries?</h2><p>Ukrainian officials say Wildberries warehouses are being targeted because Russian soldiers frequently use the platform to purchase nonlethal equipment and other supplies. While the Wildberries marketplace does not openly sell weapons or products clearly classified as military equipment, soldiers preparing to leave for the war have reportedly used the platform to purchase essential gear. Their families also use the marketplace for ordinary household purchases.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Until recently, Wildberries had a search tag specifically associated with army-related equipment, although that tag has since been removed. Products available through the platform have included tactical vests, boots and socks. Similar products are also sold by Ozon, Wildberries’ biggest Russian competitor, which has itself been targeted by Ukraine at least once. However, Wildberries is far more than a source of military-related clothing. One of its biggest-selling products last year was a $20 pair of red-checkered lounge pants. Other popular products, including hair masks, have virtually no connection to military activity.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pentagon-revokes-former-air-force-secretary-frank-kendall-s-classified-access-over-alleged-air-force-one-disclosure-1786192818200"><strong>Pentagon revokes former Air Force secretary Frank Kendall’s classified access over alleged Air Force One disclosure</strong></a></p><h2>Wildberries is a linchpin of Russia’s consumer economy</h2><p>Ukraine’s strikes appear designed not only to disrupt military-related supply chains but also to undermine the perception of normality within Russia’s consumer economy. Punishing strikes on the company’s operations are devised to “shutter the illusion of a peaceful life in a second,” Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, said in a statement after the Ukrainian military first destroyed a Wildberries warehouse, outside Moscow in July.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wildberries is an especially significant target because of its central role in Russia’s retail and delivery ecosystem. The company operates around 95,000 pickup points nationwide, helping maintain a sense of economic normalcy that the Kremlin has been eager to preserve. The company is also a major source of employment and income.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Each Wildberries pickup point is privately owned and operated. At the same time, an estimated one million Russian sellers rely on the platform to reach customers. Many are small businesses that cannot afford traditional storefronts and would otherwise struggle to sell their products at scale.</p><h2>Who owns Wildberries?</h2><p>Wildberries was built from scratch in the early 2000s by Tatyana Kim, a former English teacher, and her then-husband, Vyacheslav Bakalchuk, an IT engineer. Before their highly publicized divorce in 2024, Kim owned 99 percent of the company, while Bakalchuk held the remaining 1 percent. A Russian court later awarded Kim full ownership of Wildberries as part of the couple’s divorce proceedings. The ownership structure changed significantly after Kim agreed to a controversial merger with Russ Outdoor, an advertising company valued at a fraction of Wildberries’ estimated worth.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Kim now owns 65 percent of Wildberries, while 35 percent was transferred to Russ Outdoor. Critics have described Russ Outdoor as a vehicle linked to Kremlin-connected billionaire Suleyman Kerimov. Before the merger, Wildberries was estimated to be worth around $10 billion. Questions over the company’s ownership and political connections resurfaced earlier this year after its earnings report revealed that Kim’s own company had not received any dividends in the previous year. Instead, the entire 51 billion rubles, or approximately $640 million, in dividends went to Russ Outdoor.</p><h2>How have the drone strikes affected Wildberries?</h2><p>The attacks have hit small businesses particularly hard because many of them rely on Wildberries to store, process and distribute their products. The company acts as a critical logistics intermediary, receiving sellers’ goods, storing them in its warehouses and shipping orders to customers. An estimated 100,000 businesses are believed to have lost inventory in the attacks. The timing of a change to Wildberries’ seller agreement has also drawn attention. Just days before the first Ukrainian strike on its warehouses, the company amended its standard agreement to remove liability for losses caused by terrorist attacks or natural disasters.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wildberries has since promised financial support to affected sellers, with priority given to smaller businesses. Tatyana Kim recently said the company had already deposited 40 million rubles, or about $500,000, into the accounts of 88,000 sellers. The Russian government has also indicated that additional assistance could be provided. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak met with senior officials and several Wildberries sellers in late July and pledged to prepare a comprehensive financial aid package. The strikes have therefore created a challenge that extends well beyond Wildberries itself. By targeting a major logistics and retail network, Ukraine is disrupting businesses, sellers, consumers and the infrastructure that helps sustain an appearance of economic normalcy inside Russia.</p>

Ukraine targets Wildberries warehouses in Russia as drone strikes disrupt e-commerce, small businesses, military supplies and the country’s consumer economy

Ukraine’s campaign against Russia’s war-related economic vulnerabilities has expanded beyond oil facilities and energy infrastructure to an unexpected new target: warehouses belonging to e-commerce giant Wildberries. In less than three weeks, Ukrainian drones have struck 23 Wildberries warehouses across Russia, killing nine employees and injuring several dozen others. Several warehouses have reportedly been forced to completely halt operations. What is Wildberries? Wildberries is a household name in Russia. Its distinctive purple-and-pink plastic bags are a familiar sight in towns and villages across the country. The company is Russia’s most popular online marketplace, with 79 million monthly users, more than half of the country’s population. Its reach is unmatched, both in the range of products available and the scale of its logistics network, which extends into some of Russia’s most remote regions. For millions of Russians, Wildberries has become an essential part of everyday life, offering fast and convenient delivery. In sparsely populated areas, a Wildberries pickup point can sometimes be the only significant communal facility apart from a post office and a small local shop. The company’s success has also made its founder, Tatyana Kim, Russia’s richest woman. Why is Ukraine targeting Wildberries? Ukrainian officials say Wildberries warehouses are being targeted because Russian soldiers frequently use the platform to purchase nonlethal equipment and other supplies. While the Wildberries marketplace does not openly sell weapons or products clearly classified as military equipment, soldiers preparing to leave for the war have reportedly used the platform to purchase essential gear. Their families also use the marketplace for ordinary household purchases. Until recently, Wildberries had a search tag specifically associated with army-related equipment, although that tag has since been removed. Products available through the platform have included tactical vests, boots and socks. Similar products are also sold by Ozon, Wildberries’ biggest Russian competitor, which has itself been targeted by Ukraine at least once. However, Wildberries is far more than a source of military-related clothing. One of its biggest-selling products last year was a $20 pair of red-checkered lounge pants. Other popular products, including hair masks, have virtually no connection to military activity. Also Read: Pentagon revokes former Air Force secretary Frank Kendall’s classified access over alleged Air Force One disclosure Wildberries is a linchpin of Russia’s consumer economy Ukraine’s strikes appear designed not only to disrupt military-related supply chains but also to undermine the perception of normality within Russia’s consumer economy. Punishing strikes on the company’s operations are devised to “shutter the illusion of a peaceful life in a second,” Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s drone forces, said in a statement after the Ukrainian military first destroyed a Wildberries warehouse, outside Moscow in July. Wildberries is an especially significant target because of its central role in Russia’s retail and delivery ecosystem. The company operates around 95,000 pickup points nationwide, helping maintain a sense of economic normalcy that the Kremlin has been eager to preserve. The company is also a major source of employment and income. Each Wildberries pickup point is privately owned and operated. At the same time, an estimated one million Russian sellers rely on the platform to reach customers. Many are small businesses that cannot afford traditional storefronts and would otherwise struggle to sell their products at scale. Who owns Wildberries? Wildberries was built from scratch in the early 2000s by Tatyana Kim, a former English teacher, and her then-husband, Vyacheslav Bakalchuk, an IT engineer. Before their highly publicized divorce in 2024, Kim owned 99 percent of the company, while Bakalchuk held the remaining 1 percent. A Russian court later awarded Kim full ownership of Wildberries as part of the couple’s divorce proceedings. The ownership structure changed significantly after Kim agreed to a controversial merger with Russ Outdoor, an advertising company valued at a fraction of Wildberries’ estimated worth. Kim now owns 65 percent of Wildberries, while 35 percent was transferred to Russ Outdoor. Critics have described Russ Outdoor as a vehicle linked to Kremlin-connected billionaire Suleyman Kerimov. Before the merger, Wildberries was estimated to be worth around $10 billion. Questions over the company’s ownership and political connections resurfaced earlier this year after its earnings report revealed that Kim’s own company had not received any dividends in the previous year. Instead, the entire 51 billion rubles, or approximately $640 million, in dividends went to Russ Outdoor. How have the drone strikes affected Wildberries? The attacks have hit small businesses particularly hard because many of them rely on Wildberries to store, process and distribute their products. The company acts as a critical logistics intermediary, receiving sellers’ goods, storing them in its warehouses and shipping orders to customers. An estimated 100,000 businesses are believed to have lost inventory in the attacks. The timing of a change to Wildberries’ seller agreement has also drawn attention. Just days before the first Ukrainian strike on its warehouses, the company amended its standard agreement to remove liability for losses caused by terrorist attacks or natural disasters. Wildberries has since promised financial support to affected sellers, with priority given to smaller businesses. Tatyana Kim recently said the company had already deposited 40 million rubles, or about $500,000, into the accounts of 88,000 sellers. The Russian government has also indicated that additional assistance could be provided. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak met with senior officials and several Wildberries sellers in late July and pledged to prepare a comprehensive financial aid package. The strikes have therefore created a challenge that extends well beyond Wildberries itself. By targeting a major logistics and retail network, Ukraine is disrupting businesses, sellers, consumers and the infrastructure that helps sustain an appearance of economic normalcy inside Russia.

<p>Ukraine’s drone campaign has expanded to Wildberries warehouses, disrupting Russia’s e-commerce network, small businesses and consumer economy</p>

Explained: Why Ukraine is targeting Wildberries warehouses across Russia in its drone campaign

Ukraine's expanding drone campaign is now hitting Russia's commercial infrastructure, with repeated strikes targeting warehouses operated by wildberries, Russia's largest e-commerce platform.

Wildberries attack: Russian sellers count the costs

Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone attacks on Russia, killing at least eight people and striking multiple regions overnight. Russian officials said Ukrainian drones hit a Wildberries warehouse in the Samara region, triggering a major fire, while Moscow claimed its air defenses intercepted 635 drones during the assault.

The attack reached nearly 800 kilometers inside Russian territory, highlighting Kyiv's growing long-range strike capability. Authorities continue to assess the damage as tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalate further.

Stay tuned for the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, military developments, and global geopolitical news.

Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Assault on Russia, Kills Eight and Strikes Wildberries Warehouse

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Iran issues fresh warnings and reports military action amid escalating tensions with the United States.
Explosions reported in Iran's Bandar Abbas following fresh U.S. strikes.
Ukrainian drone attack targets a warehouse near St. Petersburg.
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Watch the full report for the latest national and international developments.

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Kyiv’s book market, Moscow’s Wildberries: ‘Massive’ overnight strikes devastate Russia, Ukraine

Russia-Ukraine war: drone strikes hit Wildberries’ ad business

Tatyana Kim’s Wildberries empire faces crisis as Ukraine targets warehouses

Wildberries under attack: Why Ukraine is targeting Russia’s e-commerce network

Wildberries attack: Russian sellers count the costs

Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Assault on Russia, Kills Eight and Strikes Wildberries Warehouse

CJP Meets Centre | Parliament Protest | Iran-US Conflict | Spain Wildfires | China Flood Warning