Ukraine Intensifies Drone Attacks on Russian E-commerce Logistics Centers

Kathmandu. Ukraine has intensified drone attacks targeting the logistics centers of Ozon, Russia's second-largest e-commerce company. The company stated on Monday that a large fire broke out at another of its logistics centers in the southern Krasnodar region following a drone attack. Ukraine has been targeting the logistics centers of Wildberries, Russia's leading online retailer, for several weeks, accusing it of supplying materials to the Russian army. Ozon is Russia's second-largest online marketplace. It has delivery centers, pickup points, and lockers across the country. Both companies are sometimes referred to as 'Russia's Amazon' due to their large share of Russia's rapidly growing e-commerce market.

Ozon stated on Telegram on Monday that a large fire occurred at its logistics center in Krasnodar following a drone attack. According to the company, employees were immediately evacuated to a safe place and initial information indicates no human casualties. Earlier on Sunday, a fire also broke out at Ozon's logistics center in the Orenburg region in central Russia following a drone attack. The company has stated that the operation of that center has been temporarily suspended. The day before that, another Ozon center in the neighboring Samara region was attacked. The company stated that some employees were injured in that incident. Ukrainian forces confirmed on Saturday that they had launched a new campaign targeting Ozon. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense stated that after attacking 15 large logistics centers of Wildberries, Ozon is now being targeted. An attack also occurred at another logistics center near Ozon's facility in the outskirts of St. Petersburg. Attacks targeting logistics centers, which have relatively less security compared to military bases, have caused significant economic damage. As some centers store highly flammable materials, they have been completely destroyed after fires broke out. Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to support Wildberries, stating that the government will assist in rebuilding logistics centers damaged by Ukrainian attacks. Russia has been criticizing Ukrainian attacks on its civilian infrastructure since it launched its invasion of Ukraine.