Subsidized loans for Nizhny Novgorod Wildberries sellers — a financial support program for small and medium-sized businesses in the Nizhny Novgorod Region that suffered losses as a result of a series of drone strikes on Wildberries marketplace logistics centers in 2026. The program was developed by the regional microcredit company at the direction of Governor Gleb Nikitin; its parameters were announced on September 4, 2026.[1][2]

Background

In 2026, Series of drone attacks on Nizhny Novgorod Oblast in August 2026, causing sellers to lose goods stored in the marketplace's warehouses.[1] Among those affected were light industry enterprises of Nizhny Novgorod Region.[1] Entrepreneurs faced rising logistics costs, working capital shortages, cash flow gaps, and difficulties resuming operations.[1][2]

The regional Ministry of Industry and Trade set up a hotline through the "My Business" center: by September 4, 2026, 221 Nizhny Novgorod companies had applied for assistance. Among the Nizhny Novgorod victims was the book publisher Rabbits & Books, which lost millions of rubles after a drone strike on the Wildberries warehouse in Koledino.[3] Of the Nizhny Novgorod companies that sought help, two reported damage to goods held at Ozon marketplace facilities.[4][1][2] The situation affecting the stricken light industry enterprises was further discussed at an emergency task force meeting chaired by the Governor. Governor Gleb Nikitin commented on the situation facing affected entrepreneurs: "We will not leave our manufacturers to deal with these problems on their own."[3][1] In late August 2026, Ankudinovka: the company accepted applications requiring further review and forwarded them to the relevant departments.[1]

According to data from mid-August 2026, the Nizhny Novgorod Region's Ministry of Industry and Trade was at that point still compiling a register of affected entrepreneurs; approximately 80 companies had been included.[3]

Loan terms

The regional microcredit company developed a dedicated loan product for sellers who lost goods stored in Wildberries warehouses. Loans are available for terms of 6 to 36 months.[1][2] The interest rate is differentiated by type of activity: for manufacturing enterprises — from 5 to 10.5% per annum; for other small and medium-sized businesses — from 8 to 12% per annum.[1][2] Each affected company is to receive individualized support.[3] At the time the program parameters were announced, the possibility of implementation was still under consideration. Alongside the development of the loan product, relevant authorities were, at the Governor's direction, working on other regional support measures for affected companies, including a one-year tax deferral.[4][2]

Context: support in other regions

At the same time as Nizhny Novgorod Region, Kemerovo Region launched a similar program. The Kuzbass State Entrepreneurship Support Fund, under its "Zashchita" (Protection) program, offered microloans of up to 2 million rubles at rates starting from 7% per annum for terms of up to 36 months, restructuring of existing loans with deferral of the principal debt for up to six months, subsidized rental of premises for six months at the Kuzbass Technology Park, and product promotion and certification services through the "My Business" center.[3]

Sources

  1. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" — Nizhny Novgorod businesses to be offered loans following attacks on Wildberries warehouses
  2. Vremya N — Nizhny Novgorod businesses to receive support following attacks on Wildberries warehouses
  3. Zhivyom v Nizhnem — Nizhny Novgorod businesses to receive subsidized loans following attacks on Wildberries warehouses — Zhivyom v Nizhnem
  4. Vzglyad-NN — Nizhny Novgorod Wildberries sellers to be offered loans at 5–12%
  5. oborot.ru — Microloans at 7%, subsidized rent, and some kind of register. Authorities in two Russian regions launch state support for entrepreneurs whose goods burned...
  6. Newsroom24