Full Breakdown
Russia’s Drone Campaign Targets Kyiv’s Data Centres and Internet Infrastructure
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Russian Drone Strikes Target Kyiv’s Data Centres
On September 23, 2026, Russian drones struck multiple facilities in Kyiv, damaging the data-centre sites of UTELS, Pavutyna and a central traffic-exchange point. The attacks knocked power from core network equipment and caused internet outages for roughly 100,000 households in the capital and surrounding region. A follow-up strike on September 25, 2026 hit a high-rise residential building in the Pecherskyi district, killing a 14-year-old boy and injuring several others.
Background: Escalation of Infrastructure Attacks
Since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, Moscow has periodically targeted energy and rail assets. In early July 2022 a key data centre was damaged, and throughout September 2026 a series of attacks hit New-Telco, United DC, Kyivstar, Parkovyi and the Datagroup facility. Russian defence statements describe these sites as supporting Ukrainian defence intelligence, while Ukrainian officials label them civilian critical infrastructure.
Impact on Connectivity (Data & Statistics)
- ? 100,000 households experienced internet disruptions on 23 Sept.
- Service providers reported damage to core equipment at UTELS, Pavutyna, Crazy Network and other operators.
- Backup sites kept most services online, but latency spikes and temporary outages were reported across Kyiv, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi.
- The Ministry of Digital Transformation confirmed that repairs were underway through 24 Sept, with most providers restoring service within a few hours.
Official Ukrainian and Russian Statements
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the campaign as an attack on ordinary life and urged international response. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the data centres “critical civilian infrastructure” that delivers life-saving alerts and stressed they are not military targets. Russia’s defence ministry claimed the facilities were used by Ukrainian military intelligence and justified the strikes as legitimate.
On-the-Ground Reports
Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko reported seven fatalities and 59 injuries across the city on 25 Sept, including the teenage victim. Residents described constant air-raid alerts and “terrifying explosions” as drones hovered for hours, forcing many to shelter in metro stations. Local eyewitnesses noted that the damaged business centre housed the Datagroup data centre, and that a fire at the Solomianskyi district market spread to nearby warehouses.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Casualty figures: Reuters and the Kyiv city administration listed seven deaths on 25 Sept, while the Times of Israel reported five.
- Target verification: Russian statements identified New-Telco and United DC as military-support sites; Ukrainian officials have not independently confirmed these claims.
- Extent of data loss: Providers say most traffic was rerouted, yet the full scope of data destroyed or compromised remains unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is critical civilian infrastructure that ensures people can access life-saving information. It is not a military target. It is essential to keeping everyday life functioning.” — Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister
- “The Russians launched many drones against the city, a significant number of them jet-powered. Russia continues to turn civilian and critical infrastructure into targets: pharmaceutical facilities, gas stations, railways, communications infrastructure, and shopping malls,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, president
- “This is the beginning of a phase where, since September, they have started taking it out systematically,” — Anatolii Frolenkov
What’s Next
Ukraine says the United States has proposed a technical-level three-way meeting with Russia, suggesting the United Arab Emirates as a possible venue. No concrete date has been set, but Kyiv officials indicate that diplomatic outreach will continue alongside efforts to harden digital infrastructure and expand backup capacity.