Ukraine's relentless drone attacks on Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, have delivered a devastating blow to the country's economy and morale. These strikes, which have already caused billions of dollars in losses and disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of individual sellers, are a testament to Ukraine's strategic prowess and its ability to strike far and wide inside Russia. The attacks have also shaken the empire built by Tatyana Kim, the country's richest female entrepreneur, and raised questions about the future of Wildberries and its ability to repay massive loans from banks like VTB. The ease with which these attacks have been carried out, with drones targeting unprotected warehouses, highlights the vulnerability of Russia's infrastructure and the potential for further disruption. The attacks have had a ripple effect, causing stress on major banks and exacerbating the business environment for small enterprises. The strikes have also played into the hands of Russian hawks who urge escalating the war, and have stirred up anger at Ukraine for trying to destroy an essential part of daily routine for millions. However, some analysts warn that the attacks could fuel stronger anti-Ukrainian and anti-Western fervor, and that the true impact of these strikes may not be fully realized until the dust settles. The future of Wildberries and the Russian economy remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Ukraine's strategy of using long-range drones to attack deep inside Russia has been a success, and it will be interesting to see how Russia responds to this challenge.
