{
  "id": 16580543,
  "title": "Russian ministry recommends underground data centers following Ukrainian drone strikes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/russian-ministry-recommends-underground-data-centers-following",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-26T09:13:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Kyiv Independent",
    "slug": "kyiv-independent",
    "url": "https://kyivindependent.com/russian-ministry-recommends-underground-data-centers-following-ukrainian-drone-strikes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Russian Digital Development Ministry has suggested constructing underground data centers, concealed from the air and equipped with drone defenses, following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on data centers. This proposal, outlined in guidelines for various tiers of data centers, emphasizes the need for protective measures. The top tier comprises strategic sites whose loss could disrupt crucial state functions for an hour or more; the second tier covers sites supporting regionally or economically important systems, with potential outages of four hours or more; and the final tier pertains to corporate data centers, where damage would not pose significant consequences for the state. To enhance protection, existing data centers should reduce their visibility from the air and employ layered defenses such as reinforced structures, electronic warfare measures, and drone defense systems. This announcement follows Ukrainian drone strikes on three Yandex data centers, a Sberbank facility under construction, and a VK data center between October 8 and 18. Russia's central digital infrastructure presents two challenges: inflicting similar damage on Ukraine and safeguarding its data centers from further strikes. Approximately 80% of Russia's data centers are concentrated in Moscow and the surrounding area, within the range of Ukrainian long-range drones. The impact of Ukraine's strikes on Russian data centers could extend beyond disrupted banking and online services, potentially hindering the country's AI development and affecting military technology. Governor Ilya Seredyuk of Kemerovo Oblast proposed housing data centers inside depleted open-pit mines and quarries for their natural protection against aerial bombardment.",
  "summary": "Existing data centers should be protected by reducing their visibility from the air, and through layered defense systems including reinforced structures, electronic warfare measures, and drone defense systems.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russian ministry advises building underground data centers to deter drone attacks.",
    "Guidelines categorize data centers by criticality: strategic, regional/economic, and corporate.",
    "Ukrainian drone strikes targeted three Yandex, a Sberbank, and a VK data center in October."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Interfax-Ukraine",
        "title": "Air defense downs 112 of 140 Russian UAVs, 3 Kh-59/69 missiles; strikes recorded at 15 locations – Air Force",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/air-defense-downs-112-of-140-russian-uavs-3-kh-59-69-missiles-strikes",
        "published": "2026-10-26T07:14:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Air defense neutralizes three missiles and 112 of 140 Russian drones overnight",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/26/air-defense-neutralizes-three-missiles-and-112-of-140-russian-drones",
        "published": "2026-10-26T08:55:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}