"These objects were doomed." Why the consequences of ballistic missile strikes on logistical centers near Kyiv are so severe
Over the past month, Ukraine has suffered heavy losses to its civilian logistics infrastructure. The ballistic missile attack on the night of August 5 was the most destructive. As of early August, losses from Russian strikes on warehouses, production facilities, and other business-used real estate amounted to approximately $350 million, according to experts. The events of last night in Kyiv and the region will significantly deepen these losses, writes the BBC Ukrainian service.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky assured that the government
"will develop the necessary solutions to ensure the continuous operation of logistics companies and trading enterprises in response to Russian missile terror."
This night, none of the 28 ballistic missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defense. Ukraine does not have the necessary missiles capable of intercepting ballistic missiles.
At the same time, in recent months, Ukraine has been striking Russian logistics with drones. The night of August 5 was no exception.
The current exchange of strikes on logistics has forced Ukrainian companies and the government to think about how to protect businesses and make warehouses and other logistics infrastructure inaccessible to ballistic missiles.
"Epicentr." Beyond recovery
According to "Epicentr" company, this night the Russians "simultaneously hit two key logistics complexes of the company": a logistics center in Kyiv, which was one of the key facilities, completely burned down, and a logistics and production complex in Kalynivka, Brovary district. One company employee died there, and three others were injured and hospitalized.
In addition, two large warehouse complexes were destroyed as a result of direct missile strikes. Another missile hit the Epicentr Ceramic Corporation factory, which produces ceramic tiles.
"A powerful explosion virtually destroyed the plant, making further operation of the enterprise impossible. Production at the plant has been completely halted," states the "Epicentr" statement.
According to preliminary estimates, the full restoration of the destroyed production will require approximately two years.
"Nova Poshta." Sorting center destroyed
"On the night of August 5, as a result of a massive enemy attack, 'Nova Poshta's' sorting center in Kyiv was destroyed. Three people died, 8 were injured," the company stated.
This postal operator has been attacked dozens of times, especially in 2026. However, "Nova Poshta" did not suspend operations.
"The assessment of the consequences of the enemy attack is currently ongoing. 'Nova Poshta' will compensate customers for the full declared value of damaged shipments and will contact each one to provide details of compensation," the company assures.
The postal operator advises checking the current status of shipments and their tracking in the mobile application or on the company's official website.
"Rozetka." Three missiles on the distribution center
Three ballistic missiles destroyed "Rozetka's" largest distribution warehouse complex in the Brovary district. Iryna Chechotkina, co-founder of the company, announced this on Facebook.
"Here we processed over 100 thousand orders a day. It is beyond repair," she wrote.
The logistics complex was opened in early 2017. It was the company's largest and most automated warehouse, Iryna says.
The largest logistics center and other facilities
In the village of Chaika, Bucha district, one of the largest warehouse logistics complexes in Ukraine, "Chaika," belonging to the Alfa Development Group (ADG) company, was destroyed.
According to "Forbes-Ukraine," ADG is a market leader in Ukraine, owning over 500 thousand square meters of warehouse real estate.
Its clients include dozens of well-known companies, so it can be assumed that the destruction of the huge hub also means the loss of goods for dozens of companies that rented warehouses there.
Vitaliy Byahun, head of the Brovary district administration, reported on the telethon that a total of about five logistics facilities in the Brovary district sustained damage, including the warehouses of Fozzy and Fozzy Food companies.
In Kyiv, in Borshchahivka, the warehouses of the Novus supermarket chain were on fire and heavily damaged.
Two distribution centers of the "Silpo" chain in the Kyiv region also suffered from fires.
"Silpo" reports six deceased employees.
The central warehouse of the German company LIQUI MOLY's products in Ukraine was completely destroyed by fire this night. The company manufactures oils, lubricants, and car chemicals.
Only those facilities for which official confirmations could be found are mentioned. Names of other logistics centers located in and around the capital are also circulating, but there are no official statements about their destruction yet. They are also mentioned in the Russian Ministry of Defense's report.
Statements by the Russian Ministry of Defense
The Russian military department names two serious transport and logistics centers - "Raben Ukraine" and "Trans-Logistik," whose names do not appear in other reports.
In addition, the SES reports large-scale fires at logistics facilities in the Brovary district, where - among others - these two companies are located.
"Trans-Logistik" is one of Ukraine's largest private operators of international and intercity road freight transportation.
"Raben Ukraine" is a large logistics hub and distribution complex of a European operator, part of the Dutch Raben Group. The company has been operating in Ukraine since 2003.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that components for drones, dual-use goods, or drones themselves were allegedly stored or manufactured at all these facilities.
Large warehouse - large fire
In recent months, Ukraine and Russia have been striking each other's logistics infrastructure.
Over the past two weeks, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have struck about 20 logistics complexes across Russia. Half of them have been destroyed, according to Ukrainian authorities.
While ballistic missiles were flying at infrastructure in the Kyiv region overnight, Ukrainian drones were destroying one of the largest logistics hubs in the Tula region.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated about attacks on logistics centers, including the Wildberries network. The President of Ukraine claimed that these centers "are involved in providing the Russian army with components for drones, navigation equipment."
Last night's unprecedented strikes forced Ukrainian companies and the government to think about how to protect businesses and make warehouses and other logistics infrastructure inaccessible to ballistic missiles.
"A large warehouse means a large fire. There are no other options. If you don't want a large fire, distribute to hundreds of small warehouses and build underground shelters. The guys couldn't not understand that these objects were doomed," commented military blogger with the pseudonym Paolo Lumiere on Facebook regarding the latest strikes on Ukrainian logistics centers.
According to him, some businesses are already "dismantling valuable equipment and moving goods from their huge hangars."
However, such measures appear to be isolated. Head of government Koretsky promised to consider joint measures with businesses for the continuous operation of logistics companies and trading enterprises, despite serious losses.
"The enemy has shown that it doesn't matter what they attack. Warehouses with food, with building materials, retail, production are attacked. And this will continue, unfortunately, as long as the enemy has ballistic missiles," says adviser to the President of Ukraine Serhiy "Flash" Beskrestnov.
According to his estimates, there could be up to 100 ballistic missiles per month that the Ukrainian Armed Forces cannot shoot down due to a lack of necessary means.
He urged businessmen to "diversify risks" - not to attract the attention of the enemy and traitors in Ukraine to large traffic, to rebuild logistics channels.
"There should temporarily be no large warehouses. This is a matter of survival. There will be more attacks," concludes Serhiy Beskrestnov.
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