Ukrainian drones attacked two Wildberries warehouses overnight leading into July 18, 2026, killing at least eight people and injuring dozens in western Russia [1, 2, 3, 4].
Seven people died at the warehouse in Kotovsk, Tambov region, with 25 to 28 people wounded, many suffering shrapnel injuries. Evgeniy Pervyshov, Governor of Tambov region, said, "Seven people working the night shift died on the spot. 28 UAVs were shot down on approach. If they had achieved their goal, the number of civilian casualties could have been much higher" [1, 2, 3, 4]. The warehouse location was reported as Kotovsk by some sources, while others cited Tambov city [1, 2, 3, 4].
At the Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal, Moscow region, one person was killed and around 37 injured [1, 4]. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said air defenses destroyed 64 enemy drones before they reached Moscow, noting that "most were neutralised by air defence forces at distant approaches" [3].
Drone debris from the attacks caused a fire at an oil depot in Noginsk, in the Moscow region, injuring two people [2, 4].
Russian air defenses shot down at least 28 drones near Tambov and between 48 and 64 drones near Moscow during the attacks [1, 2, 3, 4]. Sources vary on the exact numbers downed near Moscow, with estimates ranging from 48 to 64 [1, 3].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the warehouses targeted as "significant logistics facilities used to ensure the supply of sanctioned components for the production of drones and navigation equipment" [1, 4].
Wildberries CEO Tatyana Kim described the night as "terrible" for the company and Russia [1].
The strikes occurred overnight from July 17 into July 18, 2026, and represent one of the deadliest drone attacks on logistics infrastructure in western Russia to date [1, 2, 3, 4]. The response by Russian air defenses prevented even higher casualties according to local officials [2].
Emergency crews continue to respond to the fire at the oil depot in Noginsk and assess damage at both warehouses.
