Ukraine reportedly targets Russia’s Krasnodar, nearby Ozon logistics center in major attack
Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Ukrainian forces struck a retail warehouse in the southern Russian city of Krasnodar and a nearby logistics center belonging to Russian e-commerce giant Ozon, monitoring channels reported Aug. 24.
The facility, belonging to Russian home goods retailer Kuchenland, was set ablaze amid the Ukrainian attack, according to independent Russian Telegram channel Astra.
Krasnodar Mayor Yevgeny Naumov earlier announced an air raid siren as a result of a drone attack in the city.
Two children were killed and seven others injured in a childcare center as a result of fallen drone debris, Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.
“Additionally, debris from drones fell on residential buildings and apartment buildings under construction. The impact of the drones caused a fire in warehouse facilities,” he added.
Krasnodar, located near Russia’s Black Sea coast, is situated about 250 kilometers (155 miles) from southeastern Ukraine near occupied Berdiansk and 365 kilometers (225 miles) from Ukrainian-controlled territory near Orikhiv.
Meanwhile, near the village of Enem in the nearby Adygea Republic, a logistics center belonging to Russian online retail giant Ozon was attacked, Exile Plus reported.
The details could not be immediately verified.
The strikes come as Ukraine marks its Independence Day on Aug. 24, marking 35 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union.
The reported attack on the Ozon facility marks the third night in a row that Ukrainian forces targeted the company’s facilities following a weeks-long campaign of attacks on Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries.
Ozon logistics centers were struck in Russia’s Samara Oblast on Aug. 22, and in the city of Orenburg overnight on Aug. 23.
Ukraine regularly strikes military infrastructure deep within Russia and the occupied territories in an effort to diminish Moscow’s ability to continue waging its war.