Warehouse dubbed "Russia's Amazon" bursts into flames after a series of drone attacks.
In the early hours of July 24th, a warehouse belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, was hit by a Ukrainian drone near Saint Petersburg, causing a massive fire that engulfed a section of the historic city.
According to local officials, the attack left at least three people injured. This was the third nighttime raid by Ukraine on Wildberries facilities in just one week, raising concerns about a serious escalation in long-distance conflict between the two countries. In Saint Petersburg – the hometown of President Vladimir Putin, more than 800 km from the Ukrainian border – thick gray smoke billowed over high-rise apartment buildings. Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed on social media that three people were injured.
The latest airstrike also forced Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg to suspend flights, disrupting around 50 departures before operations resumed at 06:00 (03:00 GMT). Wildberries said two of its warehouses in the city had to temporarily cease operations.
Kyiv is escalating its long-range drone attacks on Russian energy, military, and logistical facilities. Ukraine calls these "long-range sanctions" and a legitimate retaliation for Moscow's nightly drone and missile strikes. Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense claims its air defenses shot down approximately 571 drones overnight across more than a dozen regions and the Crimean Peninsula.
Last weekend, similar attacks on Wildberries facilities on the outskirts of Moscow killed eight night shift workers and completely destroyed a main warehouse. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously accused these facilities of being used to "supply components for the production of drones and navigation equipment." Kyiv claims the operation caused widespread fuel shortages and depleted Russia's war funding.
Both Russia and Ukraine have been stepping up long-range offensive tactics in recent months. Notably, US President Donald Trump appeared to express support for Ukraine's counterattacks, calling them "an escalation that could lead to an end." However, Washington's peace-mediating efforts are stalled amid the escalating conflict with Iran.