Ukraine expands drone attacks on Yandex data centers

On Friday, Ukraine attacked and partially shut down a major data center operated by Russian technology company Yandex, a day after it hit a similar facility. The action broadens the scope of Ukrainian attacks on Russia after Moscow attacked data centers inside Ukraine.

Yandex, often referred to as "Google of Russia" and heavily involved in the country's artificial intelligence development, said its data center in the Kaluga region southwest of Moscow was hit by Ukrainian drones and was partially out of operation. The company said the attacks have hit the heart of its operations and that it is trying to keep its services running.

Ukrainian drones hit critical Yandex infrastructure

Ukrainian weapons manufacturer Firepoint said Kiev had used its FP-1 one-way attack drones to carry out the attack on what it called Yandex’s largest data center. According to the company, several of its modules were completely put out of operation.

A day earlier, a Ukrainian attack deactivated Yandex’s data center in Sasovo, in the Ryazan region, where two of the three supercomputers used to develop the company’s AI model are installed. Yandex said it was assessing the damage caused by the attack and could not confirm whether the equipment could be restored.

Impact on digital services and the lives of Russians

Yandex apps have become an indispensable part of the lives of many Russians. In a statement, the company highlighted the importance of data centers: “Data centers are the iron heart of Yandex. Its operation is fundamental to the services that have become part of people’s day-to-day lives. Millions of users check traffic and plan routes, listen to music, watch movies, order groceries and get answers to their questions.”

In addition to consumer services, Yandex also serves companies. “Our technology helps hundreds of thousands of companies run their businesses. They use it to take orders, serve customers and work with partners,” the company said, adding that it had entered into an agreement with other cloud providers to allow Yandex Cloud customers to quickly transfer their data and services.

War of Attrition Expands Infrastructure Targets

Involved in an increasingly intense and deadly war of attrition after more than four years of conflict, both Russia and Ukraine this year expanded drone strikes on infrastructure targets. The targets range from energy facilities and refineries to ports and ships carrying oil and grain, e-commerce warehouses and, more recently, data centers.

The escalation in data center attacks represents a new phase in the conflict, reaching the backbone of Russia’s digital economy and artificial intelligence. Ukraine demonstrates the ability to project power in depth, while Russia faces challenges to protect critical infrastructure scattered throughout the territory.

The attack on Yandex comes at a time when the company seeks to expand its cloud services and consolidate its position in the AI market. Temporary loss of computational capacity can delay projects and affect the trust of corporate customers.

Cybersecurity experts note that data centers are strategic targets due to information concentration and processing capacity. Successful attacks can cause prolonged interruptions and require significant investments in redundancy and defense.

Meanwhile, the Russian population feels the immediate effects on the digital routine. Maps, streaming and e-commerce services can present instabilities, generating frustration and highlighting the vulnerability of the country’s technological infrastructure.

Yandex did not provide a schedule for full restoration of the services, but said it was working to minimize the impact to users. The company also did not detail whether the attacks caused data leakage or compromised the security of stored information.

The unfolding of the conflict indicates that attacks on digital infrastructure should intensify, with both sides seeking strategic advantage. The international community is monitoring with concern the escalation potential and the side effects for the global economy and cybersecurity.

For readers of the Boca no Trombone Portal, in Ponta Grossa and region, the episode serves as a warning about the importance of data protection and resilience of critical infrastructures, even in local contexts. Keep up to date on the conflict and its developments in our international coverage.

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