Zelensky says Russia has widened attacks to hit Ukraine's data centres

President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine has stated that Russia has broadened its attacks to include targeting the country's data centers and internet providers in an effort to cause widespread disruption to everyday life. On Friday, a Russian drone struck a business center in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, resulting in the deaths of four people and causing damage to a data center.

Russia has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the data center was allegedly being utilized by Ukrainian military intelligence. Approximately 100,000 households in Kyiv and surrounding regions experienced internet outages on Wednesday due to the strikes. Some companies are already transferring data from affected servers to locations abroad.

The city of Lutsk in the northwest reported that electronic information boards at public transport stops were non-functional on Friday, a result of damage sustained from a Russian attack on data centers in Kyiv.

In a post on social media on Friday, Zelensky remarked that Russia is persistently expanding its escalatory operations, targeting American and other businesses, data centers, and internet providers. He emphasized that for Russia, all aspects of daily life are mere targets. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, stated on Wednesday that Russia aims to impede the dissemination of vital information by striking data centers.

These facilities, according to Sybiha, are not military targets but rather crucial for maintaining the functionality of daily life.

Ukraine's top defense technologies adviser acknowledged that localized disruptions might occur following Russian attacks, and that the cost of internet services could rise to absorb repair expenses. However, he assured that Ukraine's internet network is highly decentralized, preventing the country from losing access to the internet.

The data center targeted by Russia is operated by Datagroup. The company reported that its technicians are currently evaluating the damage following Friday's daytime assault, but all services are still operational from backup sites. Russia's defense ministry subsequently confirmed striking the Datagroup site, asserting that it was utilized by the Ukrainian military's intelligence apparatus.

The damage to the Inkom business center, which houses Datagroup, has been validated by footage from the BBC.

Earlier this week, Russia's defense ministry also asserted that it had targeted numerous data processing and telecommunications centers in Ukraine, such as New-Telco, United DC, Kyivstar, and Parkovyi. In recent weeks, Moscow has escalated its strikes on Ukraine's energy and railway infrastructure, aiming to inflict significant harm as winter approaches.

Ukraine's military has been launching counterattacks against Russian oil refineries and logistics hubs, arguing that these actions help finance Russia's ongoing war effort.

Separately, on Friday, Poland's prosecutors launched an investigation into an arson attack on a Starlink satellite station in Wola Krobowska, which they claim may have been carried out under the orders of the Russian special services. The station facilitates internet traffic to countries such as Ukraine through Poland, utilizing SpaceX's Starlink systems to provide connectivity via terminals.

In recent weeks, several European NATO members have warned that Russia might be preparing hybrid attacks to assess their commitment to supporting Ukraine, a claim Russia denies.