Ukraine has struck a third data centre of Russian tech giant Yandex this week, forcing the company to suspend operations at a facility near Moscow. Source: bbc.co.uk.
What Happened
A Ukrainian drone attack damaged Yandex’s data centre in Vladimir, east of Moscow.
The company confirmed the facility was damaged and that operations were ‘completely suspended’.
Earlier this week, two of Yandex’s five data centres were hit—first in Sasovo, then in Kaluga—both south-west of Moscow.
Key Facts
- Yandex, dubbed ‘Russia’s Google’, operates services used by tens of millions of people.
- Its data centres are critical to running services like food ordering and ride-hailing apps.
- As of Sunday, Yandex said it was difficult to predict when services would resume.
- No injuries were reported at the Vladimir site.
- These are the third attacks on Yandex facilities this week.
Background: How the Attacks Fit Into the War
Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on infrastructure in recent months.
Ukrainian officials say they target facilities that support Russia’s war economy.
Yandex, as a major digital platform, is seen as part of Russia’s digital infrastructure.
Damage to such facilities could force Russia to divert resources to repairs.
Why It Matters
These strikes highlight the growing targeting of digital infrastructure in the ongoing war.
Yandex’s disruption affects everyday services for millions of users in Russia.
It also underscores the broader trend of cyber and physical attacks on critical technology.
Related Developments
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said any de-escalation must be reciprocal and backed by real guarantees.
He stated Ukraine would stop attacking Russian oil refineries if Russia stops targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
US President Donald Trump criticized the new US-Russia deal allowing Russian diesel into the US.
Trump said it was time for Ukraine to get a new president, a statement that drew sharp reactions.
Meanwhile, Russian strikes on Ukraine have continued.
On Saturday, local officials confirmed attacks on Zaporizhzhia.
Overnight, attacks on four districts in Dnipropetrovsk resulted in injuries.
These incidents show that attacks on infrastructure remain a key part of the conflict.
What to Watch Next
Yandex has not yet confirmed full recovery timelines.
Further strikes on Russian digital infrastructure could follow.
US and European responses to the diesel deal and the escalation of attacks will be closely watched.
For more on Yandex’s service disruptions, see our coverage: Yandex Services Disrupted by Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Data Centres.
For the full BBC report, visit: Original source.
Sources & further reading
Featured image: 10 October 2022 missile strikes on Ukraine.svg by AlexKozur, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Image source · License
