Ukrainian drones are hitting Russia’s biggest data centers. Why are they so vulnerable — and can anything protect them?
After strikes on Yandex’s data centers, pro-war channels accused the company of inaction and even sabotage. Elements of critical infrastructure turned out to be completely unprotected against drone attacks. Now similar accusations will likely be directed at Sberbank: the bank’s largest data center in the Saratov region was attacked overnight on October 14. All these facilities were an obvious…
Ukrainian drones have targeted Russia's largest data centers, revealing their vulnerability to such attacks. Pro-war channels accused affected companies of inaction or sabotage after strikes on Yandex's data centers in Vladimir. Now, Ukraine's military may target Sberbank's largest data center in the Saratov region, built before the war without considering drone protection.
These facilities were chosen due to their strategic importance, as Russian forces focus on striking reinforced concrete buildings with heavy warheads. Ukraine has not yet received missiles with a range exceeding 300 kilometers, targeting instead economically significant targets like oil refineries and data centers. Yandex and Sberbank's site-level defenses were insufficient to repel the attacks.
The lack of a multilayered anti-drone defense system in Russia, apart from Moscow, leaves these critical facilities exposed.
Written by urgent.news from Meduza (English)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
Also reported by 4 other outlets
- Russia attacked Ukrainian retailer Epicentr’s warehouse 10 times in one day, destroying about 85% of goods, company says euromaidanpress.com
- India urges Russia, Ukraine to protect Black Sea shipping dw.com
- Ukrainian drones reportedly hit Sberbank data center in Russia kyivindependent.com
- Ukrainian drones attack Russia’s largest Sberbank data center, under construction in the Saratov Region theins.press
