Russia’s second-largest online retailer has been hit by a wave of Ukrainian drone strikes, with fires reported at logistics centres across several southern regions and multiple injuries. The attacks mark a widening campaign against Russia’s commercial infrastructure, after weeks of strikes on rival retailer Wildberries. Moscow has warned that Kyiv could now face retaliation against Ukraine’s most vulnerable economic sectors. Ozon warehouses erupt as drones strike across Russia Ozon said fires broke out at facilities in Krasnodar, Dagestan, Stavropol and Adygea after overnight drone attacks. Workers were evacuated from sites in Adygeysk and Nevinnomyssk, while several employees were reportedly injured. Russia’s Defence Ministry said three children were killed in Krasnodar and six others taken to hospital. The BBC has verified social media footage showing drones striking Ozon facilities and huge fires engulfing warehouses. The strikes also sent Ozon shares plunging by as much as 12% in Moscow, while shares in major shareholder AFK Sistema fell almost 13%. Kyiv says Russia’s logistics network is the target Ukraine has defended the strikes as attacks on “dual-use” logistics infrastructure. Its Defence Ministry said Ozon was targeted after Ukrainian forces had struck 15 major Wildberries logistics hubs. Kyiv alleges such facilities can support Russian military logistics, although Moscow denies online retailers are being used to supply the army. The campaign comes after a separate Ozon facility in the Samara region was hit, with workers injured. In Ukraine’s Odesa region, Russian strikes meanwhile damaged food storage facilities and energy infrastructure, injuring five people. The war is now hitting everyday Russian commerce Ozon and Wildberries are deeply embedded in Russian life, with their combined services estimated to be used by the vast majority of economically active Russians. In remote areas, their delivery networks can be vital for accessing clothing, household goods and other essentials. That makes the attacks politically sensitive as well as economically damaging. President Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had opened “Pandora’s box” by targeting economic infrastructure and warned Russia would retaliate against Kyiv’s “most sensitive economic sectors”. The Kremlin says it is discussing support options with businesses affected by the strikes. But the expanding attacks are making one thing increasingly clear: the war is no longer confined to military targets or the frontline — it is reaching directly into Russia’s everyday economy. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg598yvrzpro
