Russian attacks hit four Epicentr hypermarkets in 24 hours, retailer reports

One woman injured in Poltava as chain describes 'total destruction of the network'

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published25 October 2026

Read Time1 min

Russian strikes damaged or destroyed four Epicentr hypermarkets across Ukraine within 24 hours, the company said on Oct. 25, the latest wave of attacks targeting civilian infrastructure. Facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, and Poltava were hit on Oct. 24-25, with one 52-year-old woman injured in Poltava.

Epicentr, one of Ukraine's largest home improvement and retail chains, said Russian attacks on Oct. 24-25 caused damage or destruction to stores in four cities, calling the strikes a 'total destruction of the network.' The Poltava Oblast Military Administration reported that a 52-year-old woman was injured in an attack on a hypermarket on Oct. 25; no civilian casualties were reported in other regions.

The company did not specify the extent of the damage or reopening timelines. Prior to Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, Epicentr operated 72 hypermarkets across Ukraine. According to the company, ten shopping centers have been completely destroyed and 13 damaged since the war began. On Oct. 22, head of public relations Yuliia Chudnovets said Russian forces had struck five company sites, including one in Kyiv, in the previous 48 hours.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The strikes underscore Russia's ongoing campaign against civilian infrastructure, with retail hubs being deliberately targeted.
Epicentr's destruction affects supply chains and access to home improvement goods for Ukrainian civilians.
The pattern of repeated attacks suggests a systematic effort to damage economic assets, not just military ones.

Background

Epicentr, founded in 2003, was Ukraine's largest home improvement retailer before the war, with 72 hypermarkets. Since the full-scale invasion in February 2022, at least 23 of its sites have been hit, with ten completely destroyed. The company has become a frequent target, reflecting a broader Russian strategy of striking civilian businesses and gathering places.

What to Watch

Whether further strikes on Epicentr or other civilian retail chains follow in the coming days.
Official damage assessments and reopening timelines for the four affected stores.
The humanitarian impact on communities dependent on these hypermarkets for supplies and employment.

Sources

In less than 24 hours, Russia hits 4 hypermarkets belonging to one of Ukraine's largest retail chains · Kyiv Independent

Checked

10 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedRussian attacks hit four Epicentr hypermarkets in less than 24 hours, the retailer said.Kyiv Independent: “Russian attacks hit four Epicentr hypermarkets in less than 24 hours, the company said on Oct. 25.”
SupportedOne 52-year-old woman was injured in Poltava.Kyiv Independent: “The Poltava Oblast Military Administration said a 52-year-old woman was injured in an attack on a hypermarket on Oct. 25.”
SupportedEpicentr described the attacks as a “total destruction of the network.”Kyiv Independent: “and described the attacks as amounting to "total destruction of the network."”
SupportedThe company said attacks damaged or destroyed facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia and Poltava on Oct. 24–25.Kyiv Independent: “the company said Russian attacks damaged or destroyed facilities in the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Kharkiv, Vinnytsia, and Poltava on Oct. 24-25”
SupportedThe latest wave of attacks targeted civilian infrastructure.Kyiv Independent: “The latest wave of strikes highlights Russia's campaign of terror against civilians, with stores, shopping centers, and other civilian infrastructure among the targets.”
Partly supportedAuthorities in other regions reported no civilian casualties.Kyiv Independent: “Authorities in other regions did not report any civilian casualties from attacks on Epicentr stores during the same period.”
SupportedThe company did not specify the extent of damage or when the affected facilities might reopen.Kyiv Independent: “The company did not specify the extent of the damage or when the affected facilities might reopen.”
SupportedEpicentr operated 72 hypermarkets across Ukraine before Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022.Kyiv Independent: “Epicentr operated 72 hypermarkets across Ukraine before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.”
SupportedSince the war began, ten company shopping centers were completely destroyed and another 13 were damaged, according to Epicentr.Kyiv Independent: “Since the start of the all-out war, ten of the company's shopping centers have been completely destroyed and another 13 have been damaged, Epicentr told the Ukrainian outlet Ekonomichna Pravda in August 2026.”
SupportedOn Oct. 22, public relations head Yuliia Chudnovets said Russian forces had struck five company sites, including one in Kyiv, in the previous 48 hours.Kyiv Independent: “Epicentr's head of public relations, Yuliia Chudnovets, said on Oct. 22 that Russian forces had struck five company sites, including one in Kyiv, in the previous 48 hours.”