Key facts
- Ukrainian drones attacked a Sberbank data center in Russia's Saratov region on Oct. 14, 2026.
- Sberbank First Deputy CEO Alexander Vedyakhin confirmed the attack, stating all systems and services operated normally.
- Russian users reported disruptions to Sberbank's online services, including its AI service GigaChat.
- The data center is expected to house a new supercomputer worth 500 billion rubles.
- This incident follows multiple drone attacks on Yandex data centers.
Ukrainian drones reportedly targeted a data center under construction belonging to Russian state lender Sberbank in Balakovo, Saratov Oblast, on October 14, 2026. Deputy chief executive Alexander Vedyakhin confirmed the attack to TASS, stating that all systems and services of the bank continued operating normally and no employees were injured. Saratov regional governor Roman Busargin also said that "all infrastructure facilities" operated normally.
Despite official assurances, Russian users reported disruptions to Sberbank's online services, including its AI service GigaChat, according to the Moscow Times. Russian authorities announced the construction of the facility in 2020, expecting it to cover about 60,000 square meters. State-aligned media Vedomosti reported it will house a new supercomputer worth 500 billion rubles.
The strike follows a series of drone attacks on data centers owned by Russian tech giant Yandex. Ukrainian defense company Fire Point commented on social media, trolling Yandex after reported damage to its facilities disrupted access to its financial services. Yandex's data center in Vladimir Oblast reportedly shut down completely on October 11, following confirmed strikes in Ryazan and Kaluga oblasts on October 8 and 9. Sberbank, like Yandex, is heavily isolated under Western sanctions.