Washington: Russia reported on Saturday that overnight Ukrainian strikes targeted a logistics facility of the online retailer Ozon in the southern Rostov region. Rostov Governor Yury Slyusar announced on Telegram that the region faced an attack overnight, resulting in 11 injuries, with one individual in critical condition. He stated that air defenses intercepted approximately 30 drones over the region.
According to Anadolu Agency, Slyusar mentioned that two apartment buildings in Rostov-on-Don, the regional capital, were damaged during the attack. Additionally, drone debris was located on the grounds of warehouse facilities in the Aksaysky district. Ozon confirmed that a drone hit one of its logistics facilities in the region, causing a small fire that was quickly extinguished.
Ozon further stated, "We have temporarily suspended operations at the facility so emergency services can inspect the area and ensure it is completely safe. We are not currently accepting deliveries from vendors here, and those in transit are being redirected to other facilities." Employees from a second logistics center in the region were evacuated due to the threat of strikes, although the facility remains intact.
Ukraine has ramped up drone strikes on Russian logistics facilities since mid-July, affecting several Russian regions. Ukrainian drones have targeted logistics centers of Wildberries, Russia's largest e-commerce retailer, and have expanded these strikes to Ozon's facilities. Kyiv has accused both retailers of contributing to Moscow's military supply chain, although Moscow and the companies assert their facilities are solely commercial.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses shot down 313 Ukrainian drones across 11 regions, as well as over the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. The ministry also stated that its forces struck logistics centers and an ammunition depot in Kyiv and surrounding areas, along with facilities in the ports of Izmail and Mykolaiv, claiming these were linked to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Independent verification of these claims remains challenging due to the ongoing conflict.