Kyiv internet providers report major outages after Russian attacks damage data centers

Kyiv internet providers report major outages after Russian attacks damage data centers

Russian drone strikes damaged data centers and telecommunications infrastructure in Kyiv this week, leaving thousands of people in the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region without reliable internet access.

At least four internet providers serving Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine suffered partial connectivity losses following Wednesday’s drone attack, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. The affected networks included Kyiv Link, Pautina, Utels and Crazy Network.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation said around 100,000 households in Kyiv and the region experienced internet problems after the attack, with repair crews assessing damage and working to restore stable connections.

Several providers said the disruption was caused by direct damage to facilities housing critical networking equipment.

According to Utels, one Kyiv data center containing its core network equipment was damaged in the attack and lost power. The company said it managed to restore service to most customers within about two hours.

Pautina reported more extensive damage, saying several infrastructure sites were hit and nearly half of its network temporarily lost service. The company said critical equipment and communications lines were damaged.

Crazy Network also reported outages affecting customers in Kyiv, Vinnytsia and the Khmelnytskyi region after what it described as a strike on a central internet traffic exchange facility.

Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its forces struck the New-Telco and United DC data centers in Kyiv, alleging that the facilities supported Ukraine’s Defense Ministry and intelligence and security agencies. Those claims could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian authorities have not confirmed that the two facilities were hit.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia had targeted major data centers in an attempt to disrupt the flow of information, adding that internet connectivity is critical for delivering timely warnings about incoming Russian missile and drone attacks.

“This is critical civilian infrastructure that ensures people can access life-saving information. It is not a military target. It is essential to keeping everyday life functioning,” he added.

Wednesday's strikes on Kyiv killed two people and injured at least 43, according to Ukrainian authorities. Residential buildings, railway infrastructure and a historic market were also damaged.

The attack was followed on Thursday by a large-scale Russian missile strike that Ukrainian officials said damaged residential buildings, a maternity hospital and energy and logistics infrastructure.

Repeated attacks on connectivity

Russia has repeatedly struck Ukrainian telecommunications facilities during its war against Ukraine.

Utels and Pautina have previously reported damage during Russian attacks, while a major strike in July damaged one of Kyiv’s key data centers and disrupted several internet providers.

Earlier this month, Russian strikes also damaged facilities belonging to Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest telecommunications operator, including an engineering office and a building housing network equipment. Kyivstar said at the time that its services continued operating.

The threat to connectivity also extended beyond Ukraine this week.

Late Wednesday, a fire broke out at a Starlink ground station in central Poland operated by state-owned telecommunications company Exatel. The facility helps provide satellite internet connectivity across Europe, including Ukraine. The fire damaged electrical infrastructure at the site, including a switchboard and generator.

Polish Digital Affairs Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski said Thursday that authorities were investigating the incident as possible sabotage and that there were indications the fire had been deliberately set.

Gawkowski described the incident as a possible element of hybrid warfare and said the facility was important for maintaining internet connectivity to Ukraine. Polish authorities have not publicly identified who was responsible, and investigators have not established a Russian role.