Russian troops attacked the "Epicenter" chain's retail facilities in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia and Poltava on October 24-25. The largest destruction was recorded in Kharkiv, where after the third strike in two months, the last working hypermarket of the chain was destroyed. The consequences of the attacks were fires, damage to retail and warehouse premises and the threat of job losses.
The "Epicenter" company reported the series of strikes on October 25 on its official Facebook page. New details of the destruction in Kharkiv were released by Mayor Ihor Terekhov on October 26.
Last working "Epicenter" destroyed in Kharkiv
On the evening of October 24, Russian troops launched a series of strikes with reactive drones on the "Epicenter" hypermarket in the Osnovianskyi district of Kharkiv.
According to Terekhov, this was already the third attack on the retail facility in the last two months. After the two previous strikes, the company managed to restore the damaged premises and bring the hypermarket back to operation.
However, the latest attack caused a large-scale fire that quickly spread to the retail halls and warehouse premises. As a result of significant destruction, the hypermarket ceased operations.
The situation was complicated by repeated Russian strikes. Due to the threat to personnel, rescuers could not immediately begin full firefighting.
According to the State Emergency Service, during the liquidation of the consequences of the attacks on the shopping center and a civilian enterprise in another district of Kharkiv, three rescuers were injured. One of them was injured while extinguishing the fire directly in the hypermarket. In addition, Russian strikes destroyed a fire tanker truck.
Destruction of hypermarket put hundreds of jobs at risk
Kharkiv Mayor emphasized that the loss of the last working "Epicenter" has serious consequences for the local economy.
First of all, it concerns hundreds of jobs related to the operation of the retail facility. The further fate of the employees will depend on the company's ability to resume operations and organize staff work.
In addition, the hypermarket provided city residents with construction materials, tools and goods for repairing damaged housing.
In particular, Kharkiv residents bought materials there under the state program "eRecovery", and also used certificates from charitable organizations to purchase necessary goods.
Thus, the destruction of the hypermarket complicates not only the work of the retail chain, but also the residents' access to goods necessary for restoring homes after Russian shelling.
Terekhov said that the city authorities are in contact with the management of "Epicenter" and are ready to provide assistance with clearing the territory, removing debris and putting the damaged site in order.
According to the mayor, one of the priorities remains preserving jobs and economic activity in Kharkiv.
Poltava shopping center damaged, one injured
On the morning of October 25, a Russian drone attacked the "Epicenter" hypermarket in Poltava. As a result of the hit, a fire broke out inside the building.
The head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, Vitalii Diakivnych, reported that a 52-year-old woman was injured.
Rescuers worked at the scene. The extent of damage to retail premises and company property at the time of the first reports was being clarified.
Attacks also damaged chain facilities in Vinnytsia and Zaporizhzhia
On the night of October 25, the "Epicenter" hypermarket in Vinnytsia came under Russian fire.
According to "Suspilne Vinnytsia", citing its own sources in law enforcement agencies, the furniture department of the shopping center was damaged. The fire area was approximately 150 square meters.
The head of Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, Natalia Zabolotna, also reported damage to a civilian industrial facility as a result of the night attack. According to her data, no reports of injuries were received.
In Zaporizhzhia on October 25, Russian troops attacked a retail facility, causing a fire.
According to regional authorities, rescuers managed to localize the fire. It was preliminarily reported that there were no casualties.
The "Epicenter" company included Zaporizhzhia in the list of cities where its facilities were attacked during the day. A detailed assessment of damage for this retail facility has not been published.
Chain suffers repeated attacks on retail infrastructure
The attacks on October 24-25 were a continuation of a series of Russian strikes on enterprises and retail facilities of "Epicenter".
A few days earlier, on October 20, the chain's facilities in Dubno in Rivne region, Kovel in Volyn and Pervomaisk in Mykolaiv region came under attack.
Repeated attacks on retail infrastructure create additional costs for the company for building restoration, equipment replacement and replenishment of lost goods.
The destruction of hypermarkets also affects local labor markets, goods suppliers and the availability of construction materials in regions where work to restore damaged housing is ongoing.
The company has not yet released a general assessment of losses from the attacks on October 24-25. It is also unknown when the damaged stores will be able to resume operations.
Based on materials from: "Epicenter", Ihor Terekhov, Suspilne Vinnytsia, Suspilne Zaporizhzhia
