2 min readUpdated: Jul 31, 2026 01:43 PM IST

A drone attack sparked a fire at an energy facility and warehouses in Russia’s Volgograd on Friday (Jul 31), wounding five people, said the regional governor, Andrei Bocharov.

He did not identify the energy facility that was hit or provide further details about it.

Five people are seeking medical assistance following the strikes, Bocharov said on Telegram, according to news agency Reuters.

The region targeted by drones is home to a Lukoil-owned oil refinery.

In the neighbouring southern Russian region of Rostov, a woman was injured in a drone attack in the town of Gukovo, regional Governor Yuri Slyusar said in a post on the messaging app.

Ukraine has recently intensified drone strikes targeting Russian logistics hubs, including facilities such as those of top online retailer ⁠Wildberries, while continuing attacks on energy infrastructure that have contributed to fuel supply disruptions across much of the country.

Ukraine hits warehouses of Wildberries

Ukraine, on Thursday (Jul 30), hit two more warehouses belonging to Wildberries, setting ablaze both facilities, the company and a regional official said.

Story continues below this ad

Kyiv has targeted about a dozen Wildberries sites since July 18, aiming to disrupt the retailer’s operations, which is considered a key pillar of the country’s consumer economy.

Oleg Melnichenko, governor of the Penza region in western Russia, said that one person was wounded and nearly 200 were evacuated from the Wildberries site there.

The online retailer said that a drone strike by Ukraine also sparked a fire at its logistics facility in Sarapul in ​Russia’s Udmurtia region.

The company said that its employees were evacuated in advance and there were no preliminary reports of casualties.

Story continues below this ad

The regional governor said the Perm region came under a heavy Ukrainian drone attack overnight.

Ukraine, whose cities continue to face frequent Russian strikes, describes its attacks inside Russia as “long-range sanctions” aimed at weakening Moscow’s war-fighting capacity and pressuring it to end the conflict.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

Stay updated with the latest – Click here to follow us on Instagram