Ukrainian drones struck two Wildberries logistics centers in Russia overnight into July 18, hitting facilities in Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast, and Elektrostal, Moscow region, according to the Kyiv Independent.
Tambov Oblast Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov said seven people were killed and 24 injured in the Kotovsk strike, which hit the facility during a night shift, according to RTÉ. The Kyiv Independent said the reports could not be immediately verified. Wildberries said the resulting fire at the Kotovsk facility was brought under control, per LIGA.net.
A separate strike hit Wildberries’ Elektrostal facility, roughly 50 kilometers east of Moscow. Moscow region officials said 24 people were injured there, some critically, according to Ukrainska Pravda. Firefighters and emergency crews continued working at the site after the strike, per LIGA.net.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said more than 370 drones were launched toward the Moscow region overnight, with most intercepted at long range and 64 destroyed on approach to the capital, according to Ukrainska Pravda. A fire also broke out at an oil depot in Noginsk, which Russian authorities said was caused by a downed drone; a nearby maternity hospital was evacuated as a precaution.
Ukraine’s military had not commented on the strikes as of publication. The Kyiv Independent noted that Ukrainian forces separately struck 12 Russian shadow fleet vessels in the Black Sea on July 17.
