In brief
Ukrainian drones unleashed a deadly strike on Wildberries warehouses in Tambov and Elektrostal, killing eight people and injuring 62. Seven deaths occurred in Tambov, 25 wounded, while 37 injuries and one death happened in Elektrostal. President Zelenskiy claimed the raids hit major logistics hubs used to supply drone components, part of a broader strategy against Russian infrastructure. Russian officials noted drone shoot‑downs and cited massive damage to energy facilities. The incident underscores the escalating impact of long‑range attacks on civilian and commercial targets in the conflict.
Eight civilians were killed and 62 others injured when Ukrainian drones struck two Wildberries warehouses in Russia, Russian officials confirmed on 18 July 2026. The first, located in Tambov, saw seven workers die on the night shift and 25 wounded. The second, in Elektrostal in the Moscow region, left one fatality and 37 injuries.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy described the attacks as hits on “major logistics facilities” used to supply drone components and navigation equipment. He added that Ukraine had also struck targets in the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea and the annexed Crimea.
Unverified footage from the Tambov warehouse shows flames and large plumes of black smoke pouring from a towering logistics building, while workers flee into a car‑park area. Clips also depict walls collapsing as the warehouse burns away.
Regional governors reported the severity of the casualties. In Tambov, the governor noted 28 drones were intercepted before impact, and that many injuries were shrapnel wounds. In Moscow’s Elektrostal, eight injured were in serious condition and 48 drones were shot down overnight; a Russian oil depot also suffered damage.
The Ukrainian attacks on energy sites aim to weaken Russia’s fuel supply, exploiting its dependence on fossil‑fuel exports. Earlier this month, Kyiv said nearly 43% of Russia’s oil‑refining capacity was disabled by such raids. President Putin admitted fuel shortages were caused by Ukrainian strikes and introduced a new law to boost domestic fuel supply in July.
Wildberries, often likened to Amazon, is a major online retailer in Russia. Its merger with advertising firm Russ forms the RWB group, valued at about $12.6 bn by Forbes Russia in 2026. Wildberries CEO and one of Russia’s first female billionaires, Tatyana Kim, called the night “a terrible time for Russia and for the company.”
The strikes illustrate the growing reach of long‑range drones in the conflict, with both sides targeting civilian infrastructure and logistics hubs to gain a strategic advantage.
For a visual glimpse of the fire, see the photo below.
