‘Russian Amazon’ hit by more massive Ukrainian strikes

Ukraine has launched new attacks on Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, using explosive drones, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. The strikes targeted two major warehouses located in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk, both situated in southern Russia east of Crimea. The attacks resulted in dramatic explosions visible on video and widely shared on social media, highlighting Ukraine's growing capability to deploy such weapons deep into enemy territory. This comes amid heightened tensions within Ukraine's military leadership following recent public protests over the ongoing war. The attacks occurred during a period of political unrest in Kyiv, where citizens took to the streets expressing concerns over the government's handling of the war. These demonstrations followed the dismissal of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, a reformist figure known for advocating a "drone-first" strategy aimed at reducing casualties. The decision to remove Fedorov was part of a broader effort by President Volodymyr Zelensky to address internal divisions within the military. In a move to restore unity, Zelensky also removed the country's commander-in-chief, General Oleksandr Syrskyi, whose strategies had drawn criticism due to the high number of Ukrainian soldier fatalities. Zelensky appointed Mykhailo Drapatyi, a 43-year-old officer with a notable military career, to replace Syrskyi. This marks the most substantial reshuffle of Ukraine's military leadership since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. Drapatyi, previously recognized for his role in breaking through enemy defenses in Mariupol during the 2014 conflict, has received support from some observers for his aggressive tactics. He outlined his vision for the future of Ukraine's military, emphasizing continued offensive operations, planning new incursions behind enemy lines, and enhancing technological capabilities. In response to the attacks, Wildberries' CEO, Tatyana Kim, confirmed the damage to the warehouses in Krasnodar and Nevinnomyssk. Footage verified by Reuters showed extensive smoke rising from the Krasnodar site, indicating the scale of the destruction. Local authorities reported that one worker was killed in Armavir when drone debris struck an enterprise there. The Krasnodar regional governor, Veniamin Kondratiev, stated that ten individuals were injured in the attack on a storage facility. Additionally, drone fragments damaged two high-rise buildings in Krasnodar, though no injuries were reported in those incidents. Emergency services deployed a helicopter to assist in extinguishing the fire at the Krasnodar warehouse, with over a hundred personnel working to control the blaze. Kim expressed her anguish over the attacks, stating they affected not only employees but also the broader community involved in the company's operations. Wildberries, which initially operated as an online store reselling European fashion items, has since grown into a comprehensive marketplace featuring products from third-party vendors. The company has yet to make further comments regarding the incident.