A series of large-scale Ukrainian drone strikes targeted logistics facilities and energy infrastructure across Russia on the night of July 17-18, resulting in seven deaths and more than 50 injuries, according to Russian regional officials. The strikes hit multiple locations, including two major warehouses operated by Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, and an oil depot in the Moscow region.
Casualties and Warehouse Attacks
The most severe impact occurred in the city of Kotovsk, located in the Tambov region approximately 475 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Tambov regional governor Yevgeny Pervyshov reported that drones struck a Wildberries warehouse, killing seven night-shift workers instantly. An additional 25 people were wounded in the attack. A second Wildberries facility was targeted in Elektrostal, a city east of Moscow. Andrei Vorobyov, the governor of the Moscow region, confirmed that 24 people were injured in the strike on the logistics center. The company, Wildberries & Russ, confirmed the attack, noting that a fire broke out at the site and employees were successfully evacuated. Tatyana Kim, the company’s CEO, described the event as a “terrible night” and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
Oil Infrastructure and Additional Damage
Beyond the logistics hubs, Ukrainian drones targeted energy infrastructure. In the city of Noginsk, located in the Moscow region, a drone strike sparked a fire at an oil depot. Governor Vorobyov stated that two people were injured in the incident. As a safety precaution, authorities evacuated a nearby maternity hospital and a residential building. Further east, in the city of Vladimir, governor Alexander Avdeyev reported that a Ukrainian drone hit a residential building, causing a brief fire, though no casualties were reported.
Official Claims and Strategic Context
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the strikes on X, stating that Kyiv had targeted two significant logistics facilities used by Russia to supply components for drone production and navigation equipment. He also confirmed that an oil facility had been hit. Russian authorities provided a broader account of the aerial assault. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 379 Ukrainian drones across 19 regions, as well as over the Sea of Azov, the Black Sea, and the illegally annexed Crimea. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that more than 370 drones were launched toward the Moscow region, with 64 intercepted on their approach to the capital. These figures have not been independently verified.
Summary of Reported Casualties
| Location | Reported Injuries | Reported Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Kotovsk (Tambov Region) | 25 | 7 |
| Elektrostal (Moscow Region) | 24 | 0 |
| Noginsk (Moscow Region) | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 51 | 7 |
The strikes are part of an intensifying campaign by Kyiv to target military, industrial, and energy infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. By striking fuel depots and logistics centers, Ukraine aims to disrupt the Kremlin’s supply chains and domestic fuel stability. In response to the ongoing threat of long-range drone attacks, Russian authorities have previously bolstered air defenses in the capital, including the deployment of air defense systems on the rooftops of civilian buildings.
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