Russia targets Ukraine data centres, Zelensky says

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Russia has expanded its military operations to deliberately target Ukraine's data centres and internet providers, in an effort to inflict maximum disruption on the daily lives of ordinary citizens.

The escalation follows a Russian drone strike that hit a business centre in the capital city of Kyiv, resulting in four deaths and causing severe damage to a data centre operated by Datagroup. A separate strike claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy, whom Israel's foreign ministry confirmed was an Israeli citizen.

The attacks have had immediate repercussions on civic infrastructure. Officials reported that approximately 100,000 households in Kyiv and the surrounding region suffered internet outages following strikes on Wednesday. In the north-western city of Lutsk, electronic information boards at public transport stops also failed to operate due to the disruptions originating from Kyiv.

The Russian defence ministry subsequently confirmed it had struck the Datagroup site, asserting that the location was being utilized by Ukrainian military intelligence. Moscow also claimed responsibility for targeting several other data processing and telecommunications centres across Ukraine over recent days, including New-Telco, United DC, Kyivstar, and Parkovyi.

"The Russians are constantly expanding their escalation operation: American and other businesses, data centres, internet providers – for Russia, all ordinary life is simply a target."

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Datagroup announced that its specialists were currently assessing the damage following the daytime attack, adding, however, that all services continue to operate from backup sites. Meanwhile, Ukrainian leadership continues to urge the international community for a robust response against these escalating attacks on essential civilian infrastructure.