'Change the game': Ukraine's latest target sits at the centre of everyday Russian life
Attacks on Russia's biggest online retailer reveal how Ukraine's drone strategy is evolving, experts say.
Ukraine is expanding its campaign of drone strikes to hit targets deep within Russian territory, with major online retailer Wildberries among the victims. This shift in strategy aims to make the economic and psychological costs of war more tangible for ordinary Russians. Professor Matthew Sussex, a defence expert, says Ukraine is deliberately targeting Wildberries to bring the war's consequences home to Russians.
The e-commerce platform, similar to Amazon, has been hit in at least 20 locations across Russia, far from the Ukrainian border. Retired Australian Army major-general Mick Ryan notes that Wildberries is part of Russia's military logistics network, with Russian soldiers reportedly purchasing goods from the warehouses. The broader economic impact of these strikes could force Wildberries to seek government bailouts, with significant implications for the Russian economy.
Drone warfare expert Oleksandra Molloy emphasizes that Ukraine's focus is on disrupting the logistics network supporting the Russian military. By targeting Wildberries, Ukraine is simultaneously disrupting military-related supply chains, putting pressure on the wider Russian economy, and affecting a company deeply embedded in everyday life.
The strikes demonstrate Ukraine's long-range strike capability, which has evolved significantly since the start of the war. Targeting infrastructure thousands of kilometres from the front line shows Ukraine can threaten any target across Russia, placing additional strategic pressure on the Russian government.
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