President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on September 25, 2026, that Russia has expanded its military operations to include Ukraine’s data centers and internet providers. The objective, according to Zelensky, is to inflict maximum disruption on the daily lives of ordinary citizens, impacting their ability to stay connected, study, and work.
Russia’s Shift in Targeting Strategy
The recent escalation marks a significant shift in Russia’s tactics during the ongoing war. Previously, attacks often focused on military infrastructure and energy facilities.
Now, the focus appears to be on civilian communication networks, aiming to sow chaos and undermine societal functions.
“The Russians are constantly expanding their escalation operation: American and other businesses, data centers, internet providers – for Russia, all ordinary life is simply a target,” Zelensky wrote in a social media post on Friday. He emphasized the need for a strong international response to these actions, stating, “It is important that the world responds to all of this and that Russia feels the response to its terror.”
Deadly Strikes on Kyiv and Lviv
On Friday, September 25, 2026 , a Russian drone strike hit a business center in the capital, Kyiv. Ukrainian officials reported that four people were killed in this attack, and a data center within the facility sustained damage.
In a separate incident, a 14-year-old boy was killed by a Russian drone strike that hit a residential building in Kyiv’s central Pecherskyi district. Israel’s foreign ministry confirmed the boy was an Israeli citizen.
Russia’s defense ministry later confirmed it had targeted the Datagroup site, asserting it was being used by Ukrainian military intelligence. Footage verified by the BBC shows damage to the Inkom business center, which housed Datagroup’s operations.
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported on Friday evening that a total of seven people had been killed and 59 injured in Russian overnight attacks across the city. These figures include casualties from multiple strikes, not solely the business center incident.
Widespread Internet Outages and Disruption
The attacks have led to significant disruptions in internet services. Approximately 100,000 households in Kyiv and the surrounding region experienced internet outages on Wednesday due to earlier strikes.
The impact has been felt beyond the capital as well.
In Lutsk, a city in the north-western part of the country, electronic information boards at public transport stops were non-operational on Friday. The city council attributed this failure to damage caused by a Russian attack on data centers in Kyiv, highlighting the interconnectedness of Ukraine’s infrastructure.
Ukraine’s Response and Resilience
In response to the escalating threat, President Zelensky announced that additional decisions were made during a meeting with Ukraine’s top defense and security officials. These measures are aimed at protecting the country’s data centers and other critical communications facilities to ensure their continuous operation.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, underscored the gravity of targeting data centers, stating that Russia is attempting to disrupt the flow of life-saving information. “Rapid alerts about missile and drone threats are essential – they save lives,” Sybiha said.
He stressed that these facilities are critical civilian infrastructure and not legitimate military targets, essential for maintaining everyday life.
Despite the challenges, Ukraine’s internet network is characterized by its high level of decentralization. Serhii Beskrestnov, Zelensky’s top adviser on defense technologies, acknowledged on Thursday that local disruptions and potential increases in internet service costs might occur due to repair expenses.
However, he reassured that the decentralized nature of the network would prevent a complete loss of internet access for the country.
Company Assessments and Backup Systems
Datagroup, the company whose facility was hit in Kyiv, confirmed that its specialists were assessing the damage following the daytime attack. Crucially, the company stated that all services continue to operate from backup sites, demonstrating a degree of preparedness for such eventualities.
Some businesses have already begun relocating their data from damaged servers to facilities located abroad as a precautionary measure against further attacks. This trend highlights the growing concern among Ukrainian and international companies operating within the country regarding the security of their digital assets.
Broader Implications of Targeting Civilian Infrastructure
The targeting of data centers and internet providers represents a strategic move by Russia to inflict psychological and economic damage on Ukraine. By disrupting communication, Russia aims to isolate communities, hinder emergency response efforts, and impede the functioning of businesses and government services.
This tactic also seeks to undermine Ukraine’s ability to communicate its narrative to the world and to maintain international support. The disruption of information flow can create confusion and make it more challenging for citizens to access reliable news and updates, potentially increasing fear and uncertainty.
The international community has largely condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including communication networks, is a violation of international humanitarian law.
The United Nations and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for adherence to the principles of distinction and proportionality in armed conflict.
The Role of Data Centers in Modern Society
Data centers are the backbone of the digital age, housing the servers that power everything from online banking and e-commerce to cloud computing and communication platforms. In Ukraine, they are also critical for coordinating defense efforts, disseminating public safety information, and maintaining essential government services.
The attacks on these facilities underscore their growing importance as strategic assets in modern warfare. Disrupting them can have cascading effects across multiple sectors of society, making them a tempting target for adversaries seeking to destabilize an opponent.
The resilience of Ukraine’s digital infrastructure, characterized by its decentralization and the use of backup systems, is a testament to the efforts made to safeguard critical services. However, the ongoing attacks highlight the persistent threat and the need for continuous investment in security and redundancy measures.
Future Outlook and International Response
The escalation of Russian attacks on data centers presents a new challenge in the Russia-Ukraine war. It necessitates a coordinated response from both Ukrainian authorities and the international community to ensure the protection of critical civilian infrastructure.
Ukraine continues to appeal for enhanced air defense systems and international support to counter these evolving threats. The effectiveness of such measures will be crucial in mitigating the impact of future attacks and ensuring the continued functioning of essential services for the Ukrainian population.
The international community’s response, as called for by President Zelensky, will be critical in signaling to Russia that such actions carry significant consequences. This could involve further sanctions, diplomatic pressure, and increased humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine.
The war’s trajectory continues to evolve, with Russia demonstrating a willingness to target increasingly sensitive aspects of Ukrainian society. The resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people, coupled with international solidarity, remain key factors in navigating this complex and challenging conflict.
The ongoing attacks serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of digital infrastructure in times of conflict and the profound impact such disruptions can have on the lives of ordinary citizens. Watan News will continue to monitor developments in Ukraine.
What is Russia’s new strategy in targeting Ukraine?
President Zelensky stated that Russia has expanded its attacks to target Ukraine’s data centers and internet providers, aiming to cause maximum disruption to ordinary people’s lives.
What were the immediate consequences of the attacks on data centers?
A drone strike in Kyiv killed four people and damaged a data center. Approximately 100,000 households in Kyiv and the region suffered internet outages, and electronic information boards in Lutsk also stopped working.
How is Ukraine responding to these attacks?
President Zelensky announced that additional decisions have been made to protect the country’s data centers and critical communications facilities to ensure their continuous operation. Ukraine’s internet network is also highly decentralized, providing resilience.
Are data centers considered military targets?
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister stated that data centers are critical civilian infrastructure essential for everyday life and are not military targets, emphasizing that Russia’s aim is to disrupt life-saving information flow.
