Ukrainian Drones Strike Ozon Warehouses Across Southern Russia, Killing Children

Ukrainian drone strikes targeted logistics facilities belonging to Ozon, Russia's second-biggest online retailer, across southern regions on Monday.

Ozon reported four of its logistics hubs were hit, bringing the total to six facilities targeted since Saturday, August 22. In Krasnodar, Russia's defense ministry stated three children, aged 13, 15, and 16, were killed following an Ukrainian drone attack. Russia's children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova added that six more children were hospitalized. Regional Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said two children died and seven were injured when drone debris struck a private childcare center in Krasnodar, with two adults also hospitalized.

Ozon confirmed fires at its logistics centers in Makhachkala, Dagestan, and Enem, Krasnodar region. The company stated a fire broke out in Makhachkala around 05:00 local time Monday, injuring several people and suspending operations. Workers were evacuated from warehouses in Adygeysk, Adygea, and Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol region, though these facilities escaped damage. Ozon shares fell by as much as 28% on the Moscow Exchange following news of the attacks, while shares in its major shareholder, AFK Sistema, fell by more than 13%.

Ukraine's defense ministry stated that "After Ukrainian units hit the 15 largest logistics hubs of Wildberries, it is now Ozon's turn." Kyiv maintains that warehouses operated by retailers store dual-use goods and form part of supply networks supporting Russia's military. Russia has condemned Ukraine's attacks on what it describes as civilian infrastructure. President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Ukraine had opened "Pandora's box" by striking economic targets. Russia has targeted Ukraine's civilian infrastructure since launching its full-scale invasion in 2022.