Ozon Logistics Complex Hit for Second Time in a Row in Ukrainian Drone Attack on Orenburg

Overnight August 23, Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian city of Orenburg, with debris from intercepted UAVs falling on an Ozon logistics complex and causing a fire, according to local authorities and independent Russian Telegram channel ASTRA.

Orenburg Mayor Albert Yumadilov said several drones had been intercepted over the Orenburzhye special economic zone, which hosts a number of industrial facilities. No casualties were reported.

“Several UAVs were shot down over the special economic zone, where our industrial enterprises are located. Fortunately, no one was injured. Debris fell on the territory of the Ozon logistics complex, causing a fire that was quickly extinguished by Emergency Situations Ministry personnel,” Yumadilov said.

ASTRA reported that its OSINT analyst examined eyewitness footage from the area and identified a fire engine traveling toward the Ozon warehouse within the Orenburzhye special economic zone.

According to the Telegram channel, Ozon opened the first phase of the logistics complex in August 2024, with an initial floor area of approximately 40,000 square meters. A second phase was scheduled to open in spring 2025, potentially doubling the facility’s size.

“The logistics complex was expected to accommodate more than 31 million goods and process up to 915,000 orders per day,” ASTRA reported.

Ozon is among Russia’s largest e-commerce platforms, offering a broad range of products, from consumer goods and electronics to industrial equipment, through a marketplace model comparable to Amazon.

The platform also lists items that can have dual-use or military applications, such as drones and related components, communications systems, thermal-imaging equipment, and tactical gear. Some of these products have reportedly been procured for Russian forces fighting against Ukraine.

Investment in the facility exceeded 4 billion rubles (around $48 million), with plans to create more than 1,000 jobs, according to the outlet.

Following the drone attack, Ozon said more than 300 employees had been evacuated from the logistics center. The company temporarily suspended deliveries to the warehouse, while goods stored at the facility were removed from listings on its marketplace.

Ukrainian Defense Forces struck an Ozon logistics complex for the first time and also targeted the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region, causing major fires at both sites, Ukrainian defense technology company Fire Point confirmed on August 22.

The incident comes a day after Ukrainian Defense Forces struck another Ozon logistics complex for the first time, alongside the Novokuybyshevsk Oil Refinery in Russia’s Samara region. Both facilities were hit by Ukrainian drones, triggering major fires.

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW