Russian drones exploit air defense gaps to strike Ukraine's data centers
A surge in Russian drone attacks is disrupting Ukraine's telecommunications services. President Zelenskyy warns of the need for enhanced air defense.
A rise in Russian jet-powered drone strikes targeting Ukraine's data centers has increasingly disrupted mobile phone and internet services for thousands.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and government officials are warning of the need for more air defense capabilities, as such telecommunication outages could threaten Ukraine's digital economy and undermine its resistance to Russia's invasion.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Russian attacks on Ukraine's telecommunication infrastructure have focused on the capital, Kyiv, since September 23. Ukraine's digital transformation ministry reported that 100,000 households in the Kyiv region temporarily experienced internet outages from these initial strikes.
Russia has intensified its strike campaign against major Ukrainian data centers and mobile phone networks in recent weeks. Analysts note that the concentrated attacks on multiple providers and facilities within days indicate increased Russian pressure on Ukraine's digital infrastructure.