A huge blaze has erupted at one of Russia’s largest logistics hubs after explosions rocked the Tula region overnight in what appears to be the latest phase of Ukraine’s long-range campaign against strategic targets deep inside Russian territory.
Dramatic videos circulating on Russian Telegram channels and open-source intelligence (OSINT) accounts showed flames tearing through a Wildberries warehouse in the settlement of Aleksino before dawn, with thick black smoke billowing high into the sky.
The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear. Russian authorities declared both missile and drone alerts across the Tula region during the night, but have yet to confirm whether the facility was struck by Ukrainian drones, missiles or falling debris.
Regional governor Dmitry Milyaev said a missile warning was issued shortly after midnight, while a separate drone threat remained in force for several hours until almost 5am.
Retaliation comes quickly these days. The russian Wildberries distribution center in Aleksin appears to have been completely destroyed in an overnight Ukrainian drone strike. pic.twitter.com/2osys9NGJv
— Kateryna Lisunova (@KaterynaLis) August 5, 2026
As the fire raged, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed Russian air defence systems had intercepted 10 drones heading towards the capital, although the claims have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, reports also emerged of explosions around Kazan in Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, with videos shared online appearing to show another overnight attack. Officials have not confirmed what, if anything, was hit.
The latest strike comes as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russia’s logistics network, seeking to disrupt supply chains that support Moscow’s war effort.
According to Forbes, Ukrainian strikes had already damaged or destroyed at least 17 per cent of Wildberries’ warehouse capacity by August 3, dealing a significant blow to one of Russia’s biggest online retail and distribution companies.
Kyiv has made no immediate comment on the Tula fire.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in late June that Ukraine’s Security Service had launched a 40-day operation designed to increase military pressure on Russia and, in his words, help force Moscow towards peace.
If confirmed, the latest attack would represent another reminder that Ukrainian drones are increasingly able to reach strategic infrastructure hundreds of miles from the battlefield.
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