Ukrainian forces target Moscow Oblast, damaging Wildberries warehouse

Ukrainian forces targeted a warehouse belonging to major Russian online retailer Wildberries and cities across Russia's Moscow Oblast in a major overnight attack on Aug. 16, monitoring channels reported.

According to monitoring channel Exilenova Plus, a fire broke out at a Wildberries warehouse in the village of Koledino near the city of Moscow after it was struck by Ukrainian forces. In the city of Domodedovo, the Severnoye Domodedovo production and logistics complex was set ablaze amid the attack, the outlet reported. Ukrainian strikes and the sound of air defenses operating were also reported in the town of Chekhov, according to Exilenova Plus. Authorities have not yet commented on the strikes, and the details could not be immediately verified by the Kyiv Independent.

Media additions

Wildberries lists a range of military equipment on its website, including drone components and body armor. The company's banking arm was sanctioned by the EU in July over its financial contribution to Russia's state budget. Wildberries also plays a significant role in the Russian consumer economy.

Ukraine has begun using British drones in deep strikes against Russia over the past six months, the Times reported Aug. 15, citing sources in Ukraine's Armed Forces. Weapons used in the strikes include the BAE Systems Nyan jet-powered drone, which has been tested by the British Royal Navy, and another unspecified drone manufactured by a company the outlet did not name for security reasons. A senior Ukrainian military source said, "Most deep-strike missions are conducted using Ukrainian drones, but the Armed Forces have also had significant success with British drones." Targets hit by the British drones include oil refineries near Moscow, in Yaroslavl, and Volgograd, the Times reported. The Nyan drone has also reportedly been used against the neighboring Russian city of Belgorod, which is located near Ukraine's border with Russia.

In response to the use of British drones by Ukrainian forces, Russia might increase hybrid warfare against the U.K., unnamed sources told the Times. Moscow has already targeted the U.K. With cyberattacks and espionage, a senior defense source added.

Ukrainian forces struck Russia's Savasleyka military airbase and a key Roscosmos facility in Samara Oblast using domestically produced Flamingo missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 15. In Moscow Oblast, Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported on Aug. 4 that several Ukrainian drone strikes were recorded in the Novosyolki industrial zone.

Recent Deep-Strike Campaign Timeline

• August 4: Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov reported several Ukrainian drone strikes in the Novosyolki industrial zone.
• August 11: A Wildberries logistics hub in the Russian village of Novaya Usman was engulfed in flames on Aug. 11 following a series of explosions at the site amid Ukrainian strikes, Telegram channel Supernova Plus reported.
• August 14: Overnight on Aug. 14, Ukraine struck one of Russia's largest ports on the Baltic Sea, damaging two processing plants and sparking a fire, Ukraine's General Staff said.
• August 15: Ukrainian forces struck Russia's Savasleyka military airbase and a key Roscosmos facility in Samara Oblast using domestically produced Flamingo missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on Aug. 15.
• August 16: Ukrainian forces targeted a warehouse belonging to major Russian online retailer Wildberries and cities across Russia's Moscow Oblast in a major overnight attack on Aug. 16, monitoring channels reported.