Russian Drone Strike Hits Ukrainian Retailer Warehouse in Lutsk

On April 1, 2023, Russia launched a drone strike on the warehouse of Clever Stores LLC, a company that supplies products to the Simi and Sim23 store chains located in Lutsk. The attack resulted in the destruction of approximately 75% of the logistics infrastructure, with the area of devastation exceeding 21,000 square meters (226,042 square feet).

According to an official statement from Simi, the fire engulfed more than 21,000 square meters, leading to the collapse of the warehouse roof. This incident was part of a larger coordinated drone attack that occurred across Ukraine on the same day, during which Ukrainian air defense forces successfully shot down 298 out of 339 targets. Explosions were reported in major cities including Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Poltava, Sumy, and Mykolaiv.

In Lutsk, in addition to the Clever Stores LLC warehouse, the Nova Poshta branch, Ukraine's largest private postal operator, was also destroyed, along with damage inflicted on a residential building. The Clever Stores warehouse was vital for supplying fresh and frozen food products to the Simi and Sim23 chains. Due to the loss of infrastructure, Simi has warned customers about potential temporary shortages of certain products in its stores.

The company reported that approximately 75% of the warehouse was either damaged or destroyed. The section dedicated to fresh and frozen goods, covering over 12,000 square meters (129,167 square feet), was completely obliterated, including all inventory and specialized refrigeration equipment. Additionally, 9,000 square meters (96,875 square feet) of dry goods storage and equipment also suffered significant damage.

Despite the extensive destruction, no casualties were reported, as all employees were in shelters at the time of the strike, the company added. Currently, Clever Stores is focused on stabilizing operations by redistributing logistics flows and seeking alternative warehouse spaces in Lutsk and surrounding areas. The Simi and Sim23 stores continue to operate as usual, ensuring that customers have access to essential products despite the challenges posed by the attack.