Russia's biggest online shopping platform, Wildberries, has been hit hard by Ukrainian drone attacks on its massive warehouses. One big strike torched a huge logistics hub in Elektrostal, just outside Moscow, with more attacks following on sites in southern Russia. Fires raged, there were casualties, and a ton of goods went up in smoke.
For millions of Russians — especially in places far from regular shops — Wildberries (and its rival Ozon) is basically their go-to for everything from clothes to appliances. These platforms work like giant marketplaces where thousands of small independent sellers store and sell their stuff. Now a bunch of those sellers have lost serious money overnight: one woman selling school supplies saw her whole fresh delivery burn right before the busy back-to-school season, and another lost the equivalent of over £13,000 in teen clothing stock. Many are pausing new shipments because they're worried about more attacks.
Wildberries' owner has tried to soften the blow with some discounts and fee waivers, but sellers aren't expecting full compensation — the company quietly added drone attacks to its "force majeure" list just days before the strikes.
Zelensky openly said Ukraine is bringing the war back to Russia in response to all the Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities and warehouses. Meanwhile, these hits are piling onto other problems Russian small businesses are already facing: higher taxes, fuel shortages from earlier strikes on refineries, internet disruptions, and a tough economic climate with inflation and falling oil revenues. It's another blow to businesses that Putin has called vital for keeping the country going during the war.
In short, the attacks are showing how Ukraine's long-range drones are starting to bite into everyday Russian life and commerce, not just military targets.
This is completely false though.
Out of the three of us, the Russian rando is the only one that can realistically influence the Russian state unless you and I are willing to put our boots on and plan an invasion. He is part of the Russian polity.
Now Putin may rule through fear, but he still only rules with the consent of the average Russian rando. If enough of them decide that they're no longer "non-political", Putin will no longer rule and the war can end. Frankly, that's the only way this war is going to end. So this is entirely their responsibility.
With that in mind, the question I raised above still stands, how many Ukrainians need to die to avoid hurting or inconveniencing the average Russian rando? Can you answer that?
That’s a simplistic view. Putin has created a climate of fear throughout his reign, and consent plays no part in his power whatsoever.
I'd argue that your view is the simplistic one.
Nobody is responsible except Putin. He's like Santa Claus, delivering every bullet on the frontline himself in a single night.