Ozon Facilities Hit Across Southern Russia
Ukrainian drones struck Ozon logistics centers in the Krasnodar, Dagestan, Adygea, and Stavropol regions overnight, igniting fires and forcing evacuations. Ozon reported a major fire at its Krasnodar hub and another at its Makhachkala facility in Dagestan, with several people injured. Workers were evacuated from warehouses in Adygeysk and Nevinnomyssk due to drone threats.[S1][S4]
The strikes mark the third consecutive night of attacks on Ozon, bringing the total to six facilities targeted since Saturday. Earlier strikes hit Ozon sites in the Samara region and Orenburg, with satellite imagery showing over 50,000 square meters burned at one warehouse. Ozon shares fell by up to 12% on the Moscow Exchange, while its major shareholder AFK Sistema dropped nearly 13%.[S4][S1]
Kyiv's Campaign Against E-Commerce Giants
Ukraine's defense ministry said the strikes are part of a systematic effort to target storage centers holding dual-use goods, complicating Russian logistics and affecting the economy. The ministry noted that after hitting 15 Wildberries logistics hubs, it was Ozon's turn. Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, has been targeted for weeks over alleged military supply components, which Moscow denies.[S1][S3]
Ozon and Wildberries, two major Russian e-commerce platforms, are often likened to Amazon in their home country. They cater to a vast majority of Russia's working population, but their business model differs from Amazon's. These platforms primarily function as marketplaces, facilitating transactions between independent sellers and buyers, and managing product storage and delivery. Consequently, when these platforms face disruptions, such as recent Ukrainian strikes, the financial impact falls heavily on the small businesses that rely on them.[S1]
Kremlin Vows Retaliation
Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened retaliation against Ukraine, claiming they've unleashed chaos by attacking economic assets. Putin stated that Russia will respond by targeting Ukraine's critical economic sectors. This comes after Ukrainian drone strikes hit Ozon, Russia's second-largest online retailer, causing fires and injuries. The Kremlin is collaborating with businesses to devise support strategies for Ozon, while denying the use of online platforms for military purposes.[S1][S6]
The conflict's impact is now felt more directly by everyday Russian citizens, who rely on these online stores for essential items like clothing and appliances, especially in rural locations. Meanwhile, Ukrainian attacks in the Odesa region struck food storage and energy facilities during the night, causing injuries to five individuals. Despite these incidents, both nations maintain that they do not intentionally harm civilians.[S1]
