Logistics Disruptions and Public Backlash

In the Pensa region, at least one person was injured, and 200 employees were evacuated following the drone strike, a second fire broke out at a logistics center in Sarapul, also in the Udmurtia region. These attacks mark a recurring pattern since this month, with Ukrainian forces focusing on Wildberries, Russia’s largest online marketplace, as Zelenskyy’s administration appears to be targeting not just military infrastructure, but also the civilian logistics and supply chains that support daily life in Russian cities. The disruption of these services is expected to spread public awareness of the war’s economic impact on the Russian middle class.

Sanctions Bypassed Through Titanium Imports

While the attacks on Wildberries aim to cripple logistics, Russia continues to maintain its war industry through alternative means, particularly through the import of titanium, Russia imports 96% of its titanium raw materials—mainly from the European Union,despite global sanctions. This metal, essential to the production of military aircraft, rockets, and missiles, is a critical component of Russia’s defense industry. According to UNITED24 Media, Russia holds 14.5% of the world’s titanium reserves but remains heavily dependent on imports due to the inefficiency of its own deposits.

China, the country with the largest titanium deposits, has supplied Russia with missile-grade titanium. As a result, Russia is estimated to have a stockpile of around 900 Iskander missiles, enough to sustain its strikes for at least two more years. In April 2025, Andrey Andrianov, CEO of Rosatom MetalTech LLC, announced that Russia will quadruple the production of titanium tubes for its aviation industry, signaling a growing focus on expanding its titanium-based military capabilities.

Broader War Impacts and Reciprocal Strikes

The targeting of civilian infrastructure has not gone unanswered, while On the night of a recent Thursday, Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine, striking cities as far west as the country’s interior. Dozens of rockets and cruise missiles, along with hundreds of drones, were launched, resulting in at least eight deaths and more than 30 injuries, according to Ukrainian media. The reciprocal escalation highlights the intensifying cycle of strikes on both sides.

Wildberries has not commented on the specific allegations by Zelenskyy, but the Kremlin has dismissed the claims as unfounded. Despite the controversy, the company remains a key player in Russia’s e-commerce sector, and its repeated strikes have drawn attention to the economic vulnerabilities of the war economy. The attacks on Wildberries also serve as a visible symbol of Ukrainian resistance, reaching beyond traditional military targets to impact the daily lives of Russian citizens.