Ukraine hits Ozon logistics centers, rocket fuel plant, MiG-29 fighter jet in Russia, military says

Ukraine launched a large-scale overnight attack on Russia on Aug. 24, striking Ozon logistics centers, the Kombinat Kamenskiy defense-industrial facility, and a MiG-29 fighter jet, among other targets, the Ukrainian military said.

Robert "Madyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, confirmed that the Ukrainian overnight attack hit Ozon facilities, but did not specify their location or how many were struck.

Three Ozon warehouses were hit in Dagestan, Stavropol Krai and Adygea, Russian independent media outlet Astra reported. Ozon shares fell 12% following the Ukrainian strikes, according to the report.

Murat Kumpilov, head of Russia's Adygea republic, confirmed that the Ozon warehouse caught fire following the attack and that its employees were evacuated. No one was injured, Kumpilov said.

Acting head of Dagestan Fyodor Shchukin said debris from downed drones sparked a fire at a warehouse. He did not specify which company operates the facility. Two warehouse employees were injured in the attack, Shchukin added.

Stavropol Krai Governor Vladimir Vladimirov also confirmed that Ukrainian drones attacked the city of Nevinnomyssk's industrial area, without saying what sites were targeted.

"Our air defense forces are repelling an attack by enemy drones targeting the industrial zone of Nevinnomyssk. Some drones have been shot down," he said.

Ukraine's General Staff separately confirmed that Ukrainian forces struck the Kombinat Kamenskiy, a Russian defense-industrial facility in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, Rostov Oblast, overnight on Aug. 24.

A fire was recorded at the facility following the strike, while the extent of the damage is still being assessed, the General Staff said.

The Kombinat Kamenskiy is part of Russia’s military-industrial complex and produces solid rocket fuel for Uragan, Smerch and Tornado-S multiple-launch rocket systems, as well as various missile systems and air-launched weapons, according to the General Staff.

Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, also said Ukrainian drones successfully struck 66 Russian targets overnight on Aug. 24

Brovdi said the targets included a MiG-29 fighter jet near Dolotinka in Russia’s Rostov Oblast and four radar systems: two Kasta-2E2s and a Nebo-SV in Rostov Oblast, and an ST-68 near Rozdolne in occupied Crimea.

Brovdi also claimed Ukrainian forces destroyed a base used by Russia's SOBR special police unit in occupied Strilkove, Kherson Oblast, struck energy facilities in occupied Ukrainian territories, and targeted two Russian "shadow fleet" vessels in the Black Sea, identified as a tanker and a bulk carrier.

The overnight strikes also caused a fire at a facility belonging to Russian home goods retailer Kuchenland in the southern city of Krasnodar, Astra reported.

Two children were killed, with seven other children and another two adults injured in a childcare center as a result of fallen drone debris, Krasnodar Krai Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said.

"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.

The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the claims.

The attacks come as Ukraine celebrates its Independence Day on Aug. 24, marking 35 years since Ukraine declared independence from the Soviet Union.

Strikes on Ozon logistics hubs in recent days follow 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.

On Aug. 16, Ukrainian forces struck cities across Russia's Moscow Oblast in a major overnight drone attack on Aug. 16, damaging a warehouse belonging to major Russian online retailer Wildberries, Moscow Oblast Governor Andrey Vorobyov claimed.

Ukraine's Defense Ministry confirmed the attack on the Wildberries warehouse, noting that it is the company's largest such facility, at 250,000 square meters.