Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukrainian Data Centers and Telecoms

Russia has expanded its long-range strike campaign in Ukraine to systematically target data centers and internet service providers, leaving approximately 100,000 households in the Kyiv region without connectivity following a wave of drone and missile attacks in late September 2026.[1][3]

The shift in targeting represents a new front aimed at the digital backbone of Ukraine's economy. While Russian forces have previously struck energy grids and logistics hubs, the concentrated assault on telecommunications nodes marks a distinct escalation in the 2026 offensive.[2]

The most severe of the recent strikes occurred on September 25, when a Russian drone hit the central Kyiv offices of Datagroup, one of Ukraine's largest telecommunications companies. The attack resulted in four fatalities and caused significant structural damage to the facility.[1][4]

The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the strike on the Datagroup facility, framing it as a legitimate military target. In a statement released via state media, the ministry claimed the data center "provided the processing and transmission of intelligence data in the interests of the armed forces of Ukraine."[4]

Ukrainian officials strongly rejected that characterization, emphasizing the civilian nature of the infrastructure. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that the strikes are an attempt to "disrupt the flow of information," noting that rapid alerts about incoming threats are essential for civilian survival.[1][3]

The Institute for the Study of War assessed the strikes in its September 25 report as part of an ongoing effort to degrade Ukraine's commercial viability. The Washington-based research group noted that this "latest diversification of Russia's strike campaign aims to disrupt Ukraine's economy and the digital infrastructure that civilians and businesses rely on daily."[2]

The operational impact has been immediate. Following strikes on September 23 and 24, two major networks, UTELS and Pavutyna, experienced partial disruptions. Anatolii Frolenkov, a representative of the 1-IX internet exchange point, observed a clear pattern in the recent attacks. "This is the beginning of a phase where, since September, they have started taking it out systematically," Frolenkov said.[3][5]

In response to the vulnerability of the network, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced new measures to harden the country's digital defenses. "Additional decisions have been made to protect our data center infrastructure and ensure its uninterrupted operation," Zelenskyy stated, adding that security service chiefs would be held personally responsible for implementation.[5]

Despite the damage, industry experts assess that a complete internet blackout remains unlikely. Ukrainian providers have spent the nearly five years since the 2022 invasion distributing their infrastructure, maintaining backup communications routes, and relocating core network nodes to mitigate the impact of localized strikes.[1][3]

The attacks on data centers coincide with broader pressure on Ukraine's commercial sector as winter approaches. Recent Russian strikes have also hit warehouses, including a facility used by McDonald's outside Kyiv, and forced the closure of major industrial plants, compounding the economic strain of the prolonged conflict.[1]