In an interview with socialbites.ca, Wildberries’ PR director Anfisa Ronzhina addressed the recent rumor circulated by the Telegram channel Baza, which claimed that residents of Chechnya and Dagestan are not welcome in the company’s market operations. Ronzhina stated clearly that the company employs thousands of people from Chechnya and Dagestan within its logistics complexes, underscoring that these employees are valued members of the Wildberries team. She emphasized that the claim of exclusion is unfounded, noting that individuals from these regions contribute significantly to the platform’s performance and customer satisfaction. The director underscored the importance of every employee’s hard work and good will, and she signaled a willingness to discuss the matter transparently. She even proposed arranging a direct meeting between Baza journalists and Wildberries employees from Chechnya and Dagestan to hear their experiences and to address any concerns about discrimination or policy misunderstandings that might have been presented through social media channels. The overarching message from Wildberries is one of inclusion and recognition of regional talent across the country, with the company eager to demonstrate its recruitment practices and the diversity of its workforce to counter any misperceptions.
Before this clarification, the Telegram channel Baza had reported an incident involving a man from Dagestan who reportedly did not receive a job offer at Wildberries. The channel claimed that during an interview at the Domodedovo site, the candidate was rejected because of his ethnic background. The video recording captured the guard explaining that a new internal policy document had been adopted, which allegedly restricted hiring from Chechnya and Dagestan. According to the footage, the interviewee and his attorney discussed the situation privately, with the filmed remarks focusing on the supposed prohibition and the way the recruitment process was described by security staff. The appearance of this narrative raised questions about fairness in hiring practices and whether any regional or ethnic bias was influencing decisions in concrete cases. In response, Wildberries highlighted the existence of a broad, nationwide workforce and reinforced that employment opportunities are open to all qualified applicants, regardless of where they come from, while stressing that any formal policy would be implemented equitably and in compliance with applicable laws. The company also indicated its openness to clarifying policies through direct dialogue with reporters and employees, aiming to prevent misunderstandings and to reassure customers and workers alike about the integrity of the recruitment process.
In examining the sequence of events, it becomes clear that a blend of online rumors, media claims, and the interpretation of internal documents can shape public perception in ways that do not always reflect the on‑the‑ground reality. What remains consistent is Wildberries’ insistence on a workforce that mirrors the country’s geographic and ethnic diversity, with a commitment to treating every candidate with respect and preserving a policy framework that governs hiring decisions in a transparent manner. The discussion mirrors a broader conversation about bias, employment rights, and how large platforms communicate with the public when allegations of discrimination surface. While the Telegram channel’s reports prompted a cautious response from the company, the follow‑up statements and proposed direct conversations with staff from Chechnya and Dagestan aim to provide firsthand accounts and empirical clarity about the working conditions, the day‑to‑day experiences of employees, and the actual criteria used in recruitment. The outcome of these developments will depend on continued dialogue, verifiable information from multiple sources, and a demonstrated commitment to inclusive hiring practices across all regions where Wildberries operates.