# Ukraine's drone strikes target Russia's Amazon equivalent Wildberries Russia's largest online retailer becomes economic warfare target. - **Source:** [Fast Company](https://www.fastcompany.com) - **Published:** 2026-08-17 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f0a624e3-7224-4bb5-8e2f-25ce36baed0b ## Ukraine's new strategy Ukraine has adopted a new strategy targeting Russia's economy. Since July, drone attacks on Wildberries' warehouses have shifted the war to Russia's hinterland. Over 20 facilities from Moscow to the Urals were hit. These strikes aim to disrupt civilian life and create psychological impact. Unlike traditional military targets, the attacks focus on economic infrastructure affecting ordinary citizens directly. ## Wildberries' position Wildberries is Russia's Amazon equivalent, serving millions nationwide. Founded by Tatyana Kim, it made her Russia's richest female entrepreneur with $8.1 billion net worth. The platform hosts hundreds of thousands of individual sellers. The attacks thus create widespread economic ripple effects across Russia's consumer economy and small business ecosystem. ## Material damages Attacks destroyed billions worth of merchandise. Wildberries' ability to repay massive loans from VTB and other banks has weakened, pressuring Russia's financial system. Individual sellers' inventory losses caused supply chain shocks. The incident threatens stability in Russia's domestic market, potentially triggering broader economic consequences beyond the retail sector. ## Geographical spread Strikes extended beyond Moscow and St. Petersburg to southern cities and the Urals. This demonstrates Ukraine's capability to hit deep inside Russia. While energy and military sites were traditional targets, this marks strategic shift to civilian economic infrastructure. The widespread attacks challenge Russia's air defense effectiveness across vast territory. ## Tatyana Kim's influence Founder Tatyana Kim is Russia's most powerful female entrepreneur. Wildberries reported 1.7 trillion rubles ($18B) revenue in 2023. The attacks threaten Kim's personal fortune, which already decreased 15% according to Forbes. This development causes concern in Russian business circles about the vulnerability of private enterprises in wartime economy. ## New war frontier Ukraine's move signals new phase in the 4.5-year conflict. Targeting economic infrastructure aims to increase pressure on Putin's government. Alongside conventional warfare, economic warfare intensifies. Striking retail sector specifically serves psychological operation purpose to undermine civilian morale and demonstrate Ukraine's reach behind enemy lines. ## Financial implications Wildberries' debt obligations are becoming systemic risk for Russian banking. The company's 150B ruble ($1.6B) VTB loan repayment appears uncertain. Moody's revised Russia's retail sector credit outlook. Prolonged attacks could pressure ruble's stability. The situation reveals vulnerabilities in Russia's financial system exposed by extended warfare conditions. ## Strategic turning point Attacks on Wildberries mark evolution in hybrid warfare tactics. Targeting civilian economic infrastructure changes conflict dynamics. These deep strikes demonstrate Ukraine's capabilities while aiming to weaken Putin's domestic standing. Economic attrition emerges as decisive factor shaping war's outcome, with retail sector becoming unexpected battleground in total war scenario. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.fastcompany.com/91591250/how-massive-online-retailer-russias-version-amazon-now-target-war-ukraine — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._