Ukrainian attacks on major data centres operated by Russian technology giant Yandex have disrupted essential digital services, affecting businesses, workers and millions of users across Russia and neighbouring countries.
The attacks, which reportedly began on October 8, damaged three of the five major data centres supporting Yandex’s operations, exposing vulnerabilities in Russia’s growing domestic technology infrastructure.
Yandex provides a wide range of services, including internet searches, digital payments, navigation, artificial intelligence, ride-hailing and food delivery. Its extensive ecosystem has made it a central part of everyday life for many Russians, particularly as Western technology companies have reduced their presence in the country following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
The disruption has had serious consequences for workers who depend on the platform for their livelihoods. A Moscow taxi driver told CNN that the Yandex Pro application began experiencing prolonged outages after an attack on a data centre in the Vladimir region on October 11. Drivers reportedly received fewer ride requests, encountered booking errors and were sometimes sent to pick up passengers who had already entered other vehicles.
The driver said he eventually returned his rented vehicle because he could no longer earn enough to cover rental fees and fuel expenses. The inability to withdraw earnings also created financial difficulties for drivers relying on the platform to support themselves.
Other users have reported problems with their digital finances. A Moscow resident identified as Tatiana told CNN that savings amounting to 1.5 million rubles, approximately $17,830, temporarily disappeared from her Yandex Pay account following the disruptions. She had been putting the money aside to purchase a car.
Yandex subsequently assured customers that their money remained safe and said efforts were underway to restore affected services.
The incidents have also highlighted the risks associated with Russia’s push to develop domestic alternatives to Western digital platforms. Although the strategy has helped Moscow reduce some technological dependencies, the concentration of essential services within major data centres has created potential points of vulnerability.
The attacks form part of a wider pattern of Ukrainian strikes targeting infrastructure deep inside Russian territory. Kyiv has presented such operations as a way of imposing costs on Moscow for its continued military campaign, while Russia has previously targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, including facilities supporting digital services.
Ukraine’s operations have increasingly affected sectors beyond the battlefield. Previous strikes on Russian oil refineries have contributed to fuel supply concerns, while attacks on warehouses belonging to major online retailers have disrupted businesses dependent on their distribution networks.
Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, also reported an attack on its data centre in the Saratov region on Wednesday, further drawing attention to the security of the country’s digital infrastructure.
The Kremlin has called on private companies to strengthen protection for critical facilities against Ukrainian drone attacks. However, the latest disruptions demonstrate the challenges involved in securing infrastructure that supports financial transactions, transportation, communications and other everyday activities.
For some Russians, the consequences extend beyond technical inconvenience. Anton, a history teacher from St Petersburg, told CNN that repeated service disruptions and government-imposed internet restrictions had added to his frustration with the war.
Moscow has introduced internet shutdowns on security grounds, restricted virtual private network services and blocked popular messaging applications, including Telegram and WhatsApp, over the past year.
The damage to Yandex’s infrastructure has therefore added another layer to the digital restrictions and disruptions experienced by Russian users.
As the war continues, the targeting of data centres and other technology facilities signals an expanding conflict in which digital infrastructure has become an increasingly important strategic asset, with consequences reaching far beyond military operations.
