Russian strikes damaged around 10 data centers in Kyiv in September, Ukrainian PM says
Russian attacks damaged around 10 data centers in Kyiv in September alone, Ukrainian Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi said on October 23, warning that Moscow is systematically targeting the country's digital infrastructure alongside its energy facilities.
The attacks have disrupted internet services and damaged infrastructure used by telecommunications providers and other organizations.
On September 23, Russian drone strikes damaged equipment belonging to Kyiv-based internet providers Pavutyna and Utels, leaving approximately 100,000 subscribers in Kyiv and the surrounding region with connectivity problems.
Further attacks damaged facilities operated by Datagroup and Cosmonova later that month. The strikes also caused disruptions to several Ukrainian media outlets.
On October 19, a Russian ballistic missile strike destroyed Datagroup's data center infrastructure in Kyiv, according to the company. Another major facility, the Parkovyi data center, has also suspended operations following Russian attacks.
Koretskyi said Russia was simultaneously intensifying cyberattacks against Ukrainian government information systems and businesses, increasingly using artificial intelligence.
In response to the cyber threat, the prime minister instructed the heads of all executive government bodies to urgently establish cybersecurity teams, purchase necessary software and put it into operation.
"Key digital agencies already know how to repel attacks involving AI. I expect the same level of preparedness from every government institution," Koretskyi said.
The new cybersecurity measures address digital threats, while the physical destruction of data centers poses a separate challenge to the resilience of Ukraine's communications infrastructure.
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