Ukraine launches over 820 drones at Russia, disabling seven of ten largest Wildberries logistics centers
Ukraine launched its largest drone offensive against Russian territory on 16 August 2026, deploying over 820 unmanned aircraft and disabling seven of the ten largest distribution centers of Wildberries, Russia's leading e-commerce platform, which Kyiv says supplies components for Russian drone production.
Largest drone offensive on Russian soil
Ukraine launched its largest coordinated drone assault against Russian territory since the war began on Sunday, 16 August 2026, deploying a wave of more than 820 unmanned aircraft. Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed intercepting about 220 drones, but nearly 600 impacts were recorded at multiple points across the country. The offensive killed at least seven civilians and injured nearly a dozen others. The principal target was the vast Wildberries logistics complex in Podolsk, on the outskirts of Moscow, which was consumed by a large-scale fire.
- Ukraine begins drone campaign targeting Wildberries distribution centers across Russia
- Latest drone wave launched overnight toward Moscow region, hitting Domodedovo and Koledino facilities
- Ukraine announces seven of ten largest Wildberries centers disabled; over 820 drones launched in largest air offensive on Russian soil
Seven of ten largest centers disabled
Ukraine's Defense Ministry announced that the campaign has disabled seven of the ten largest distribution centers belonging to Wildberries, Russia's biggest e-commerce platform and frequently called the "Russian Amazon." The most recent strikes occurred overnight on Saturday, 15 August, when drones targeted logistics infrastructure in the Moscow region. Among the facilities hit were the Domodedovo warehouse and a distribution center in the Koledino industrial park, which Kyiv identified as the company's largest warehouse at 250,000 square meters. Ukrainian intelligence says at least 14 distribution centers have been burned or destroyed since the campaign began in mid-July.
Financial impact on Wildberries
Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service estimates that Wildberries has suffered losses exceeding 100 billion rubles, equivalent to more than 1 billion euros, from the drone strikes. In the worst-case scenario for the company, financial losses could reach 200 billion rubles. Kyiv also estimates that the company's total funding needs could climb to 1.3 trillion rubles as damage from the attacks continues. The company has not publicly commented on the latest Ukrainian claims.
Justification and intelligence claims
President Volodymyr Zelensky has justified the attacks by alleging that Wildberries stores military supplies and drone components, making its infrastructure a legitimate target in the conflict with Russia. Ukrainian intelligence services claim the company's distribution network functions as a crucial hub for sorting and routing semiconductors, integrated circuit boards, and navigation systems obtained through Western sanctions evasion schemes. These components are said to supply the decentralized production of tactical drones and FPV (first-person view) devices assembled by volunteers and small workshops across Russia.
Cyber operations and open-market evidence
The offensive against the company founded by Tatyana Kim has combined air strikes with cyber operations by Kyiv's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) targeting Wildberries' payment processing servers. Independent media investigations have documented the open sale of more than 200,000 items intended for Russia's "Special Military Operation" (SVO), ranging from ballistic vests and combat helmets to military uniforms, tactical radios, and fiber-optic cables. Although the platform concealed the "SVO" search term, circulation of such material remained active in parallel categories.
