Ukraine’s drone warfare on Russian ecommerce giant Wildberries is burning holes in the pockets of Uzbek export businesses.

Enterprises in Uzbekistan have informed government officials of a marked decline in exports made through the Russian online marketplace – often described as “Russia’s Amazon” – since the Ukrainian explosive campaign directed at Wildberries warehouse and logistics infrastructure throughout Russia began last month.

Wildberries has become an important sales channel for Uzbek manufacturers. Sales of Uzbek-made goods through the marketplace exceeded $1.4bn in 2025, according to Wildberries, compared with $418mn two years previously.

The issue of the pressure indirectly put on Uzbek companies by the destruction caused to the Wildberries platform by drone raids was raised by Nargiza Bekmuratova, head of textile company ARTATEX, during an August 5 meeting between entrepreneurs and a government commission.

ARTATEX employs around 300 people and typically exports about $3mn worth of products a year to Europe and the US. Bekmuratova observed that the company’s exports had declined this year to date and that this was significantly attributable to the disruption besetting Wildberries logistics amid the multiple drone strikes.

"Our exports have decreased this year. We usually export $3mn worth of products annually. The reason is well known: a Wildberries warehouse burns down almost every day," the entrepreneur said.

She warned that continued disruption could leave the company facing problems collecting on earnings owed.

Such scenarios can be seen right across Central Asia with distressed businesses in Kyrgyzstan in particular pursuing avenues of potential compensation for stock lost in attacked Wildberries warehouses. At the same time, analysts say Wildberries might make a major move to substantially step up the amount of warehouse space it operates in Central Asia, to keep stock and operations out of the war zone. That could turn out to be a problem in that if Wildberries is found to be channelling dual-use goods, that have both civilian and military uses, via Central Asian countries, those countries could be exposed to Western sanctions. However, any available warehouse sites in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan might be of interest to the e-retailer.

Uzbekistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjaev said that the government would hold a separate meeting with Wildberries management to address the concerns of Uzbek exporters.

"We've already spoken with [Wildberries'] management; they'll be involved remotely [in a meeting]. We'll hold a separate meeting [about the Wildberries situation]. I've spoken with their management – they'll be involved. [...] We'll develop a systemic solution to this issue," Khodjaev said.

He instructed Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Abror Mirzo Olimov and Cabinet representative Doniyor Ganiev to examine exporters’ accounts receivable related to the situation. He also asked officials to prepare information on impacted exporters and discuss the matter with Wildberries.

The meeting is expected to involve the company’s management as well as representatives of Uzbekistan’s Light Industry Agency.

Khodjaev also asked Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade Ibrokhim Ergashev whether Khurram Teshabaev, the ministry official responsible for Russia, had been informed about the planned talks.

RBC reported that drone strikes targeting warehouses and sorting centres have taken place since July 18 in regions including Tambov, Moscow, Krasnodar, Leningrad, Tver, Samara, Vladimir and Volgograd, as well as Stavropol Krai, Udmurtia, Crimea and St Petersburg.

As a consequence, several facilities were badly damaged by fires, while some warehouses were temporarily shut down, with deliveries restricted or redirected to other sites. Employees have been killed and injured and merchandise damaged.

Russian and other estimates have put the damage from the attacks at potentially 15–20% or more of Wildberries’ warehouse capacity, while some experts have estimated direct losses at between RUB 100bn and RUB 300bn ($1.2bn–$3.7bn).