Thick smoke engulfed the Moscow region today after Ukrainian drones targeted the sprawling logistics hub of Wildberries, Russia’s equivalent to Amazon.
A subsequent assault in Tambov resulted in seven fatalities and left over twenty people injured at another facility owned by the online retail giant.
In Noginsk, an essential oil depot burst into flames following an attack, prompting the hasty evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital.
Meanwhile, with military recruitment challenges mounting, a beleaguered Vladimir Putin is reportedly considering enlisting imprisoned mafia members to bolster his forces in the ongoing conflict.
The assault on the Elektrostal Wildberries depot – situated 36 miles (58km) from the Kremlin – unleashed a towering column of toxic black smoke, marking one of the most significant fires since the conflict began.
The blaze was visible more than 30miles (48km) away, with smog reported in parts of Moscow.
There were reports Ukraine used jet drones in today’s attacks.
The two hits on Russia’s largest online retailer are part of Ukraine’s campaign to make Vladimir Putin’s citizens feel the consequences of the war he unleashed and refuses to stop, and are set to cause major disruption.
Analysts say it is also in response to Russian strikes on postal hubs in Ukraine.
Two dozen people were wounded in the overnight strikes on the Moscow region, and seven night shift workers were killed and at least 25 wounded in the attack on Wildberries in Kotovsk, 270miles (434km) southeast of Moscow.
Choking smoke shrouded Moscow region today as Ukrainian drones struck a huge logistics hub of the ‘Russian Amazon’ company Wildberries in Elektrostal
Seven were killed and more than two dozen wounded in a second strike on the online marketplace’s warehouse complex in the Tambov region
The strike 36 miles (58km) east of the Kremlin sent huge plumes of black smoke into the sky
The complex was completely decimated by the blast at the massive logistics hub
Noxious black smoke was sent high into the sky in one of the biggest fires of the war
The skies over Moscow looked apocalyptic following a massive fire at a warehouse complex
The Tambov regional governor Yevgeny Pervyshov called the strike a ‘premeditated terrorist attack against civilians’.
Pro-Ukrainian channel Exile+ declared: ‘Probably the best night in a long time.
‘Finally, counter-actions against logistical hubs controlled by the Russians have begun.
‘There are far more of these hubs in Russian-controlled territory than there are in ours. They all need to be destroyed.’
Ukraine continued its war on Russian oil tankers and other supply ships, with 13 hit overnight, mostly in the Black Sea.
Ramzan Kadyrov, warlord leader of Chechnya and close Putin ally, called for direct revenge strikes on NATO states.
He told Putin: ‘You just set the task, and we will take care of the rest.
‘It would be beneficial to start with the countries that, hiding behind the NATO acronym, openly and brazenly provide weapons, data, and other support to the Ukrainian fascists.’
Western states supplying Ukraine should ‘smell the scent of TNT’, he continued, and ‘as soon as they hear the roar of the Kalashnikov and the clatter of the T-90, they will immediately understand’ and halt their aid.
The blaze was visible more than 30 miles (48km) away with smog reported in parts of Moscow
Analysts say the attack is in response to regular Russian strikes on postal hubs in Ukraine
There were reports Ukraine used jet drones in the attacks, which have cause a huge blaze and filled the air with clouds of black smog
Pro-Ukrainian channel Exile+ declared of the attack: ‘Probably the best night in a long time’
Two dozen people were wounded in the Ukrainian overnight strikes on Moscow
Cars were engulfed in flames following the strike on the Wildberries complex in Tambov region
Bystanders watch as smoke rises from the huge blaze in Elektrostal, outside Moscow
One person was killed and 37 injured during the blaze at the Elektrostal site
Residents walk past the blaze on Saturday morning which has largely engulfed the skies over Moscow and nearby areas
‘It’s time to open fire, and it’s not that difficult,’ said Kadyrov.
‘All this satanic scum only understands the language of force.
‘They cannot comprehend that Russia is currently conducting restrained military operations with minimal losses among the civilian population.
‘But as soon as we unleash our military machine, as soon as our gears begin to grind their bones, all Western leaders will line up to express their deepest apologies.’
Meanwhile, members of gangs and organised crime groups will be allowed to enter into contracts with the Ministry of Defence so that they can be sent to the war zones.
The move will see members of mafia and armed gangs fight for the first time.
‘Those convicted or accused of smuggling weapons and drugs, theft of nuclear materials, organising illegal migration, and participating in the activities of ‘undesirable’ organisations will also be able to sign contracts,’ reported the Moscow Times.
The move is enabled during periods of mobilisation, martial law or wartime.
It highlights the desperation of Putin who is now losing an estimated 7,000 troops a week on the battlefields.
There is strong speculation he will order a full mobilisation of military age men in September, soon after parliamentary elections have taken place.
Russia, meanwhile, claimed almost 400 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight.