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Ukraine War: Six Killed in Russian Strikes as Kyiv Drones Hit Wildberries Hub — AI-generated representative image. A logistics warehouse burns after a drone strike, as emergency crews respond at the scene.

Editorial Team

Escalating cross-border attacks target economic and energy infrastructure, with a major Russian e-commerce logistics facility struck nearly 2,000 km from the front line

Russian attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions have killed at least six people and wounded dozens more over the past two days, local authorities reported Friday, as both sides intensified strikes targeting economic and energy infrastructure deep behind each other's lines.

The deadliest barrage struck the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, where governor Oleksandr Hanzha confirmed two people were killed and six wounded on Friday, following five deaths in the same region on Thursday. Russia's military hit the region at least 50 times using drones, artillery and aerial bombs in a single day.

The escalating cross-border strikes mark a significant expansion of the conflict's reach, with Ukraine now regularly hitting commercial targets inside Russia - including the Wildberries e-commerce network - while Moscow systematically attacks Ukrainian oil and gas production facilities ahead of the winter season.

The reciprocal targeting of economic infrastructure underscores a strategic shift in the war, as both nations seek to undermine each other's logistical and energy capabilities far beyond the immediate battlefield.

Casualties and Strikes Across Ukraine

In the southern Kherson region, a Molniya drone struck a moving car, killing a 77-year-old woman. Eight bus passengers were among dozens wounded in separate attacks across the area, the local military administration reported.

Two people were killed in Kharkiv by cluster munitions, according to the city's military administration. Governor Oleh Syniehubov said 21 settlements came under fire from missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and other weapons, wounding at least 18 people.

In Donetsk, governor Vadym Filashkin reported one death on Friday morning, noting that Russian forces shelled the region at least 44 times since Thursday. Meanwhile, in Russian-controlled Crimea, a Ukrainian drone struck an apartment building, killing two people, according to the Russian-installed governor Sergei Aksyonov.

Ukraine's Campaign Against Russian Infrastructure

Ukraine has been conducting a sustained campaign against Russian energy and commercial infrastructure for over 40 days. According to Ukrainian military statements, the operation has struck 14 oil refineries, multiple oil depots and loading terminals, 14 aircraft and four airfields.

The attacks on Wildberries - often described as Russia's equivalent of Amazon - began in mid-July. Since then, Kyiv has targeted at least 20 of the company's sites, resulting in at least 13 deaths, multiple fires and significant stock losses. Ukraine accuses Wildberries of supporting the Russian war effort, a charge both Moscow and the company deny.

On Friday, multiple drones were spotted over a Wildberries logistics facility in Yekaterinburg before large fires broke out. The company confirmed the attack, stating the facility was evacuated beforehand and the flames had been contained. The strike, located roughly 2,000 km from the front line, demonstrated what analysts described as strategic and economic significance, delivering a blow to Russia's consumer economy.

Energy Sector Under Fire

Russia struck seven oil and gas production facilities in eastern Ukraine overnight into Friday, according to the state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz. The company reported that critical equipment was destroyed in the attacks.

"Russia is systematically attacking Ukraine's oil and gas production sector in an attempt to inflict maximum damage on our infrastructure ahead of winter," said acting Naftogaz CEO Sergiy Fedorenko.

The Russian Defence Ministry also claimed its forces hit two additional cargo vessels in the Black Sea, alleging they were being used for "the interests of the Ukrainian military." Fuel storage facilities at the port of Pivdennyi were also struck, the ministry added.

Diplomatic Developments

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Serbia on Friday for his first official visit to the country. He stated on social media that discussions would focus on expanding economic ties, relations with the European Union, and other bilateral matters. The meeting was expected to strain relations with Russia, which remains Serbia's long-time ally and primary natural gas supplier.

Fighting continues across multiple fronts as both sides show no sign of de-escalating their long-range strike campaigns targeting critical infrastructure.