(TAMBOV OBLAST, RUSSIA) – Ukrainian drones have struck a major Wildberries logistics centre in Kotovsk and one of Russia’s largest oil refineries in Kstovo, intensifying pressure on Russian logistics and fuel infrastructure.
The Wildberries warehouse in Kotovsk, Tambov Oblast, covering approximately 108,000 square metres, was hit overnight. Local residents posted footage showing a large scale fire at the facility. The complex, which began operations in 2025, was designed to store up to 54 million units of goods once fully operational.
This marks the second strike on the Kotovsk site. An earlier attack on 18th July resulted in the deaths of seven employees when a fire broke out at the warehouse. The facility had temporarily suspended operations following that incident.
Wildberries has previously been linked to supplies of dual use and military goods for the Russian army, including body armour, thermal imagers, communications equipment and other materiel used in the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian drones also struck the Lukoil Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast. Local residents reported multiple explosions at the site, with a major fire and heavy smoke visible across the area. The facility has a projected capacity of approximately 17 million tonnes of oil per year and produces petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and lubricants.
The refinery holds significant importance for fuel supplies to the Russian military economy and occupying forces, with its aviation and diesel fuel used directly for army needs.
The strikes come as Russia faces a growing petrol crisis. Domestic production in July covered only around 65 percent of seasonal demand, with a daily deficit estimated at 40,000 to 45,000 tonnes. By August, restrictions on fuel sales had returned to Moscow and the Moscow region, with limits of 30, 40 or 50 litres per vehicle reported at some stations.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has publicly acknowledged problems with petrol supplies.
Since late July, Russia has imported over one million barrels of petrol by sea. A tanker carrying approximately 200,000 barrels of petrol from the Turkish port of Mersin is expected to arrive at a Russian Baltic port by the end of August. This is the fifth known maritime shipment of imported petrol for Russia since late July and the first from Turkey, a NATO member state. Previous shipments arrived from India via Egypt and from Morocco.
The systematic Ukrainian drone campaign against Russian refining infrastructure has forced plants to halt operations and undergo repairs, compelling the Kremlin to ban fuel exports, relax quality standards and increase imports.
The footage was released by Om TV.
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