Russian e-commerce giant Wildberries adds drone strikes to seller insurance policies amid wave of Ukrainian warehouse attacks

From August 7, Russian e-commerce platform Wildberries began offering seller insurance that covers new risks, including damage or loss from terrorist attacks, sabotage, and drone strikes. According to the updated terms of service, drone debris falling and causing fires can also be considered insured events, albeit with a maximum payout of 50,000 rubles ($600) per item and 100,000 rubles ($1,200) per insured event. Claims must be reviewed within 14 days and payouts transferred to the seller.

The insurance rate increased to between 1.96% and 5.6% of the item's price, depending on the category, effective August 7. Previously, the rate ranged from 1.4% to 4%. Sellers using the service before the policy changes will see their rate automatically adjusted. Wildberries launched its insurance service in February 2025, initially charging a flat 1.4% on each order, regardless of whether the item was purchased.

Shortly before a surge of Ukrainian attacks began in mid-July, Wildberries added drone attacks, shelling, and explosions to its "force majeure" events, allowing the marketplace to avoid liability for lost goods, though some sellers felt the first payouts fell short of their losses. By August 3, the destruction of goods in Ukrainian strikes was estimated at 215 billion to 280 billion rubles ($2.6 billion to $3.4 billion).

One seller lost around 5 million rubles ($61,000) and received only 1,980 rubles ($24) from Wildberries, while another with losses of 738,000 rubles ($9,000) got about 41,000 rubles ($500).