Fire at Wildberries Logistics Hub Highlights Growing Operational Risks Amid Ongoing Drone Attacks

On the night of August 11, a fire broke out at one of Wildberries’ largest logistics centers located in the village of Aleksandrovka, Novousmansky District, Voronezh Region. This logistics hub, spanning approximately 152,900 square meters, was fully operational only since November 2025 and represented a critical node in Wildberries’ supply chain.

The fire reportedly resulted from an attack, coinciding with regional security alerts over the threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Local eyewitnesses reported hearing explosions prior to the blaze, consistent with the recent pattern of drone strikes targeting the company’s infrastructure.

Strategic Impact on Wildberries’ Operations and Market Position

"Wildberries’ supply chain resilience is being severely tested as repeated attacks have compromised nearly 20% of its storage capacity," said an industry analyst.

The site in Aleksandrovka was constructed with an investment of around 11 billion rubles by Wildberries&Russ (RVB) and was capable of storing over 90 million stock keeping units (SKUs). The scale of this facility underscored Wildberries’ strategic emphasis on logistics infrastructure to support its dominant position in the Russian e-commerce marketplace.

Following the incident, Wildberries&Russ announced that all personnel were evacuated in compliance with safety protocols. However, the operational disruption adds to a series of similar attacks on the company’s logistics assets, with more than 20 centers across key regions including Saint Petersburg, Tula, Elektrostal, Krasnodar, and Nevinnomyssk experiencing drone-related damage since July 18.

According to satellite imagery analysis conducted by Reuters, these strikes have eliminated approximately 20% of Wildberries’ warehouse capacity. The physical damages have been accompanied by significant drops in sales due to inventory losses and disrupted seller operations.

Industry insiders estimate that Wildberries faces direct financial losses ranging from 100 to 200 billion rubles as a consequence of these incidents. The company’s turnover has decreased by 25%, reflecting seller departures triggered by the destruction of goods and the compromised business environment.

Voronezh regional authorities have heightened security measures amid continued UAV threats, with Governor Alexander Gusev declaring an alert status in response to the escalating risk. This situation not only impacts Wildberries but also signals broader supply chain vulnerabilities within the Russian logistics sector amid ongoing regional instability.

From a corporate strategy perspective, Wildberries now confronts the challenge of rebuilding capacity while ensuring enhanced protection of its assets. The recurring nature of these attacks may compel the company to reconsider its risk management frameworks and diversify logistics routes or storage locations to mitigate future disruptions.