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Ukraine attacks Wildberries, Russia's biggest online market
DW.com • • general
Key Points:
- A series of Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Wildberries warehouses near Moscow and other Russian cities, causing significant fires and damage, with at least nine employees confirmed dead and many injured.
- Wildberries, Russia's largest e-commerce platform controlling about half the market, has suffered losses estimated at up to 480 billion rubles ($5.7 billion), with combined damage to the company and its sellers reaching around 800 billion rubles ($9.5 billion).
- Ukraine justifies the attacks by alleging Wildberries supports Russian military logistics, a claim Moscow denies, while analysts note the platform hosts tens of thousands of military and dual-use goods.
- The attacks aim to disrupt Russia's economy by targeting a major commercial hub with extensive state-backed debt, potentially causing a domino effect on creditors like state-owned banks VTB and Sberbank.
- Wildberries' CEO has reportedly sought government assistance amid financial strain, with ongoing talks expected to involve key creditors, as the company faces challenges in servicing its substantial debts.
