Key facts
- Russia has intensified drone strikes on Ukraine's data centers and mobile networks, particularly in Kyiv.
- These attacks have caused temporary internet outages for 100,000 households in the Kyiv region.
- Ukraine's air defense interception rate for conventional Shahed drones is over 85%, but falls to 50-60% for faster jet-powered versions.
- The strikes threaten Ukraine's digital economy, banks, payment systems, and public services.
Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine's telecommunication infrastructure, focusing on data centers and mobile networks with faster, jet-powered drones. These strikes, particularly concentrated in Kyiv since September 23, have led to temporary internet outages for tens of thousands of households. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other officials are warning that these disruptions could harm the country's digital economy and its ability to resist the invasion.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the attacks on Kyiv's telecommunication infrastructure began around September 23. Ukraine's digital transformation ministry reported that 100,000 households in the Kyiv region experienced temporary internet outages from these initial strikes. Russia has continued and intensified its campaign against major data centers and mobile phone networks in recent weeks.
Tetiana Gaviuk, an analyst for Europe at ACLED, noted that while Russian attacks on telecommunication infrastructure are not new, the recent concentrated strikes on multiple data centers and telecom facilities in Kyiv within days indicate increased pressure on Ukraine's digital infrastructure. Such repeated attacks could undermine the networks supporting essential services like banks, payment systems, and public services, according to warnings from officials and industry figures cited by The Guardian.
Since the full-scale invasion began in 2022, Russia has targeted Ukraine's power grid, railroad stations, shipping ports, and residential buildings. This year, these long-range strikes have become more damaging as they have depleted Ukraine's missile interceptors. Furthermore, Russia has upgraded its one-way attack drones to faster, jet-powered models that are more difficult to intercept. Zelenskyy stated on October 4 that while Ukrainian air defenses intercept over 85% of conventional Shahed drones, this rate drops to 50-60% for the newer, faster jet-powered versions.