On Saturday, July 18th, 2026, Ukrainian drone strikes hit warehouses, an oil depot, and other strategic targets across Russia, killing nine people and injuring over 60, according to Moscow officials. Kyiv stated that these attacks targeted suppliers supporting Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Seven night-shift workers died and 25 were injured when a drone struck a warehouse operated by Russia's largest online retailer, Wildberries, in Kotovsk, Tambov region, about 360 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov confirmed the casualties and noted that Russian air defenses had shot down 28 drones approaching the area, suggesting the death toll could have been higher.

A second Wildberries warehouse in Elektrostal, approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow, was also hit, injuring 37 people, according to Moscow regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov.

Ukraine's military reported additional strikes on Russian oil tankers, floating cranes, and a tugboat in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, as well as a patrol vessel in Kerch and a railway bridge in the Russian-occupied Luhansk region. The head of Ukraine's drone forces stated these attacks have damaged 172 Russian vessels in recent weeks, forcing Moscow to redeploy frontline troops to maritime defense positions.

In response, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its air defense systems intercepted 379 Ukrainian drones overnight across 19 regions, including annexed Crimea, the Sea of Azov, and the Black Sea.

Kyiv emphasized that the targeted facilities were used to supply sanctioned components for drone and navigation equipment production.

Sources