Ukrainian Drones Hit 2 Wildberries Warehouses, Killing 7 and Injuring 49
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Ukrainian Drones Hit 2 Wildberries Warehouses, Killing 7 and Injuring 49
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 18
Summary
Seven night-shift workers were killed and 49 people injured after Ukrainian drones struck Wildberries warehouses in Tambov and Elektrostal, Russian officials said.
All 7 deaths and 25 injuries were at the Tambov site, where the regional governor said 28 drones were shot down on approach; another 24 people were hurt at the Moscow-region warehouse.
Volodymyr Zelensky said the strikes hit major logistics facilities used to supply sanctioned drone components and navigation equipment, and also targeted an oil facility, the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and Crimea.
Russian officials said 48 drones were downed over the Moscow region overnight, while a falling drone also hit an oil depot there with what the governor called the most serious consequences.
Zelensky cast the operation as retaliation for Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure; overnight Russian strikes across Ukraine killed 14 people.
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Ukraine’s July 18, 2026 Drone Strike on Wildberries Warehouse: Operational Impact, Civilian Casualties, and Strategic Implications for Russia
Overview
On the night of July 18, 2026, Ukraine launched a coordinated drone attack deep into Russian territory, targeting key infrastructure such as the Wildberries logistics warehouse in Kotovsk. The strikes ignited fires, causing significant disruption and damage, and tragically resulted in human casualties. This attack was part of Ukraine’s broader strategy to inflict economic disruption, raise the cost of war for Russia, and impact civilian morale by striking critical supply chain nodes. The operation not only impeded the flow of goods and increased business costs but also demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to extend the conflict far from the front lines.