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● LIVE Updated 1h ago · 16 sources tracked

'This effectively sets Russia far behind in the AI race': Ukraine is wiping out data centers across the border

Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian data centers have disrupted cloud services, banking operations, e-commerce networks, and artificial intelligence development projects across the border. Facilities belonging to major firms including Yandex, Sberbank, and VKontakte sustained damage during the aerial campaigns. Experts warn that the destruction of these digital hubs will severely set back Russia's artificial intelligence ambitions and capabilities for years. In response, Russia has stepped up aerial attacks against Ukraine's own digital infrastructure, including hitting Kyiv's GigaCenter data center.

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  • ✓ Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted major Russian data centers, disrupting cloud services, banking, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence development at firms including Yandex, Sberbank, and VKontakte.
  • ✓ Russia has responded by stepping up attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure, striking Kyiv's GigaCenter data center.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 16 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

Ukrainian drone operations successfully targeted multiple major Russian data centers and a tax data center near Perm, prompting counter-strikes on Kyiv's digital infrastructure.

Live updates

  1. Ukrainian Drone Strikes Hit Russian Data Centers and Disrupt AI and Banks

    Ukrainian drone strikes targeting Russian data centers have disrupted cloud services, banking operations, e-commerce networks, and artificial intelligence development projects across the border. Facilities belonging to major firms including Yandex, Sberbank, and VKontakte sustained damage during the aerial campaigns. Experts warn that the destruction of these digital hubs will severely set back Russia's artificial intelligence ambitions and capabilities for years. In response, Russia has stepped up aerial attacks against Ukraine's own digital infrastructure, including hitting Kyiv's GigaCenter data center.

    Why it matters

    Russia has long prided itself on its digital advances, boasting an extensive e-commerce services sector alongside ambitious plans for developing artificial intelligence. The recent cross-border targeting of vital data infrastructure by both sides marks an escalation in aerial campaigns aimed at crippling civilian and governmental digital operations. These attacks leave ordinary citizens locked out of routine applications like bank accounts and housing portals while derailing high-tech research.

    What is confirmed

    • Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted major Russian data centers, disrupting cloud services, banking, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence development at firms including Yandex, Sberbank, and VKontakte.
    • Russia has responded by stepping up attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure, striking Kyiv's GigaCenter data center.

    Still unconfirmed

    • The damage from the strikes will effectively set Russia far behind in the AI race for years.

    What to watch next

    • Further reports on the extent of structural damage to Yandex, Sberbank, and VKontakte facilities.
    • Updates on internet service stability and server operations in Kyiv following the GigaCenter strike.
    Sources used for this update (16)
    1. Mashable — Did Ukraine's data center strikes affect Russia's bot army? We now have better evidence.
    2. NBC News — Russians locked out of bank accounts and apartments as Ukraine hits data centers
    3. Financial Times — Data centres need protection from drone warfare
    4. AP News — Ukraine’s strikes on Russian data centers disrupt key services and derail AI research
    5. Foreign Policy — Data Centers in the Crosshairs
    6. Crikey — Ukraine didn’t kill the Putinbots. But it did hand Musk and Trump an excuse
    7. fortune.com — Ukraine's drones hit three Russian data centers and derails ...
    8. Fortune — 'This effectively sets Russia far behind in the AI race': Ukraine is wiping out data centers across the border
    9. UNITED24 Media — Russia Hits Kyiv’s GigaCenter Data Center, Threatening Internet Services and Server Operations
    10. Gadget Review — Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Five Major Russian Data Centers
    11. Yahoo — Russia steps up attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure, Kyiv says
    12. Kyiv Post — Ukrainian Drone Attacks Hit Russian Airfield, Explosives Plant, Tax Data Center Near Perm
    confidence 95%
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