Ukraine preparing for possible internet shutdown after Russian strikes on data centres

Ukraine says it is preparing for the "most difficult scenario" after a series of Russian strikes on data centres disrupted internet providers and some TV channels.

Smoke rises over the headquarters of Kyivstar, one of Ukraine's largest telecoms companies, hit by a Russian jet drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday.

Photo: REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Russian drones and missiles have damaged several data centres in recent days, according to officials.

Ukraine's largest mobile service provider, Kyivstar, told the Interfax Ukraine news agency that its headquarters in Kyiv had been hit on Sunday, with no casualties.

Prime Minister Serhiy Koretsky said the attacks were deliberate and the state was planning for the worst case, including a lasting internet outage.

He said some infrastructure was being moved underground, with other systems shifted to the cloud or physically relocated abroad.

The three approaches could be used at the same time, he added.

Russia’s Saturday attack on Kyiv’s Cosmonova data centers affected local television broadcasts, following an almost three-week campaign against data centers – with four already hit on Wednesday – that could affect civilians’ ability to receive critical information.…

— KyivPost (@KyivPost) September 26, 2026

Ukrainian experts have warned that sustained, large-scale attacks on data centres could further cripple critical infrastructure.

(ał)

Source: IAR