A massive drone strike originating from Ukraine has impacted the Moscow region, resulting in explosions at a warehouse complex often dubbed as “Russia’s Amazon” and an oil depot. The aftermath of the attacks led to significant smoke plumes visible from miles away.
The Wildberries facility in Elektrostal, situated 36 miles east of the Kremlin, was targeted, causing a massive fire that emitted noxious black smoke into the sky. The blaze was so extensive that it could be seen from over 30 miles away, with reports of smog affecting parts of Moscow.
Additionally, a crucial oil hub depot in Noginsk, also located east of the capital, was engulfed in flames following a separate attack, prompting the evacuation of a nearby maternity hospital.
In a related incident, a second drone strike on the Wildberries complex in Russia’s Tambov region resulted in seven fatalities and over two dozen injuries. Residents described the scene as apocalyptic, with one individual likening it to a scenario from the movie “Armageddon.”
Tatyana Kim, the owner of Wildberries and Russia’s wealthiest woman with a fortune of £6.1 billion, expressed deep sorrow for the tragic events, offering condolences to the affected families and pledging support to them.
Authorities reported that a total of 48 drones were intercepted over the area overnight, with the most severe impact observed in the Bogorodsky urban district where a drone crash triggered a fire at the Noginsk oil depot.
Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin revealed that more than 370 Ukrainian drones were launched towards Moscow Oblast, the region surrounding the Russian capital, during the night. As a precautionary measure, a nearby maternity hospital was evacuated, with patients and staff relocated to other medical facilities.
Eye-witnesses shared videos showing flames and explosions at the Noginsk oil depot, which houses 24 storage tanks with a combined capacity of 11,500 cubic meters. Footage circulating online depicted massive black smoke rising above the depot as flames engulfed the area.
Emergency response teams, including 40 ambulance crews and 12 disaster medicine units, were swiftly deployed to the Moscow area. Efforts are ongoing to clear the aftermath of the attack, with authorities managing the situation.
The Noginsk depot serves as a critical fuel storage and logistics center for the Moscow region, facilitating the storage and transportation of petroleum products for traders and fuel companies.
Wildberries, the largest online retailer in Russia, operates a network of warehouses and fulfillment centers nationwide to handle order processing and distribution efficiently.