Ukrainian drones hit Ozon warehouse as Russia reports major overnight attack

Ukrainian drones targeted an Ozon logistics warehouse and an unspecified industrial complex in Russia's Samara region overnight, according to Reuters. The attacks resulted in injuries and operational disruption, as reported by regional officials to Reuters. Samara Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev confirmed the strikes via Telegram, although he did not disclose the industrial site's name or the number and condition of the wounded.

The Samara region is known for housing oil refineries that have been repeatedly targeted by Ukrainian drones during the conflict. It remains unclear if the industrial facility struck in the latest attack is linked to the energy sector.

Ozon, Russia's second-largest online retailer, reported that its Chapayevsk logistics center temporarily halted operations following the strike. The company confirmed the injuries but did not provide further details on the casualties or the damage to the warehouse. This marked the first known Ukrainian strike on an Ozon facility.

The incident came after weeks of attacks on Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer. Ukraine has characterized strikes on Russian commercial and industrial infrastructure as part of a broader campaign targeting economic assets supporting Moscow's military operations. The Russian Defence Ministry reported that its air defenses intercepted and destroyed 457 Ukrainian drones overnight, though it did not specify how many drones targeted the Samara region or provide a detailed regional breakdown of the information.

Samara is situated well beyond the Ukrainian border and houses industrial, logistics, and energy infrastructure. The ongoing strikes reflect both countries' reliance on long-range drones to target infrastructure away from the front lines. Ukraine has primarily focused its attacks on Russian refineries, fuel depots, factories, and logistics sites, aiming to disrupt revenue and supplies linked to the war. Ozon has not yet disclosed when normal operations at the Chapayevsk center will resume.