Russian Retailers Are Revising Their Logistics Strategies Due to the Threat of Drones – Bloomberg

A massive fire at a Wildberries warehouse in the Moscow region has forced Russia’s largest food suppliers, including X5 Group and Lenta, to prepare for the risk of drone attacks. 

To avoid major supply disruptions, retailers plan to abandon the construction of giant hubs in favor of an extensive network of small regional warehouses divided into fire-resistant sections. 

In addition, the companies intend to shift the storage of most of their goods to suppliers, picking them up immediately before sale. Russian authorities are aware of retailers’ concerns, and experts note that the insurance industry refuses to cover such risks, which further increases Russia’s economic costs.

Bloomberg reports this, citing sources within company management and among Russian officials.

A cloud of smoke from burning Wildberries warehouses and an oil depot blanketed the Moscow region.

On the night of July 18, Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian Wildberries logistics center in Elektrostal, near Moscow, and in the Tombovsk region.

On July 18, Ukrainian drones struck 13 Russian vessels in the Azov and Black Seas.