Military correspondent Alexander Kots described the strike on the Wildberries warehouse in Kotovsk not as an accidental wartime incident but as part of what he called Kyiv’s deliberate strategy. In his assessment, the attack on the civilian logistics facility was intended to spread panic, disrupt everyday life, and fuel internal discontent in Russia.

According to Kots, destroying a major distribution hub could simultaneously delay deliveries, reduce the turnover of small and medium-sized businesses, and trigger a wave of product returns and customer complaints. He argued that the goal was to create dissatisfaction among both customers waiting for their parcels and entrepreneurs whose livelihoods depend on marketplace sales. In his view, this was meant to encourage people to look for those responsible within the country.

Kots also emphasized the psychological impact of the strike. He said the attack on such a facility was intended to make residents of Russian regions feel that there was no safe rear area. He linked the use of fragmentation elements to this objective, arguing that the purpose was not only to damage the building but also to maximize the number of civilian casualties and injuries.

Another objective, according to the journalist, was to create dramatic imagery. A large fire and a column of black smoke visible from many kilometers away could be used by Ukrainian media as evidence of a successful strike, while also demonstrating to Western audiences that Ukraine remains capable of carrying out attacks on Russian territory.

Kots also rejected possible claims that the warehouse contained military cargo. He argued that such logic would allow virtually any civilian facility to be labeled a military target, including post offices, pharmacies, or warehouses storing ordinary goods. In his opinion, this narrative serves as a justification that avoids explaining the deaths and injuries among logistics center employees.

Tambov Region Governor Yevgeny Pervyshov confirmed that the drones used in the attack had been deliberately equipped with fragmentation elements. According to him, this was done to inflict the maximum possible harm on people.

Seven people were killed in the attack, while another 25 were injured. Twenty-three of the wounded were hospitalized. Russia’s Investigative Committee opened terrorism-related criminal cases following attacks by Ukrainian armed formations on logistics centers in Kotovsk and Elektrostal.