One of Russia's largest online retailers, Wildberries, has decided to remove the special section 'Everything for the SMO' from its website and mobile app. This move is a reaction to a series of large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks on the company's logistics infrastructure.
Products redistributed, not disappeared
According to data published by RBK-Ukraine citing The Moscow Times, removing the tag does not mean a complete ban on the sale of military goods. Previously, more than 200,000 items were available under this section. Now, when searching for the corresponding tag, the system displays a notification: 'No matching products found'.
However, experts note that protective gear and military equipment have not disappeared from the marketplace's assortment. They have been moved to other catalogs and sections, allowing buyers to find them through alternative search queries.
Scale of strikes on logistics
The decision to change the catalog structure was made against the backdrop of regular strikes on the company's warehouses. Starting from July 18, Ukrainian drones have struck at least ten major Wildberries logistics centers.
The strikes hit facilities in various regions of Russia: Elektrostal, Koledino, Voronezh, Krasnodar, St. Petersburg, Nevinnomyssk, Kotovsk, Yekaterinburg, as well as occupied Simferopol. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that these facilities were used by the Russian side to supply the army with drone components, navigation equipment, and gear.
Strike on the military economy
The series of attacks on the internet giant's logistics centers went beyond the problems of a single company and dealt a significant blow to Russia's military economy. Experts predict colossal losses for both private business and the Russian budget.
According to estimates by the Estonian Intelligence Service, the aggressor's direct losses due to successful long-range strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the marketplace's warehouses could reach around $2 billion. Analysts emphasize that the systematic destruction of warehouse infrastructure significantly worsens the overall business climate in the Russian Federation.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times notes that the strikes on Wildberries have exposed a new serious vulnerability in the Russian economic system, which was closely integrated into meeting the needs of the occupiers' army.
