OSINT researcher Chris O’Wik believes that the strikes on Wildberries logistics hubs will have far more serious consequences for the Russian economy than simply the loss of goods worth $1.2 billion reported by the company.
Wildberries accounts for 45% of Russia’s online shopping market, and together with its closest competitor Ozon, the two platforms control 77% of the market.
The role of Wildberries in the Russian economy is significantly greater than, for example, Amazon’s role in the US economy.
The company has largely transformed Russian retail toward online shopping, affecting both sellers and consumers.
According to Chris O’Wik, the destruction of these logistics hubs could lead to the bankruptcy of a significant number of Russian entrepreneurs.
The lost hubs will not be easy to replace. For example, after a fire at one of its facilities near St. Petersburg, Wildberries reportedly needed a year and a half to rebuild it.
The researcher also believes that the destruction of the hubs will have a serious impact on Russian military logistics.
Wildberries has long been used by Russian volunteers to transport items such as drones, spare parts, night-vision devices, generators, camouflage clothing, tactical footwear, and other equipment.
Therefore, these strikes not only reduce the quality of life for Russian citizens but also directly affect the effectiveness of Russia’s military operations.
