Russian Drone Strikes Knock Out Internet for Thousands in Kyiv

Russian drone strikes this week damaged data centers and telecommunications infrastructure in Kyiv, causing major internet outages across the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region. At least four internet providers, Kyiv Link, Pautina, Utels and Crazy Network, reported partial connectivity losses, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. Ukraine's Ministry of Digital Transformation said about 100,000 households were affected while repair crews worked to restore service.

Providers described direct damage to facilities housing core networking equipment. Utels said a data center holding its core network gear lost power but restored service to most customers within two hours. Pautina reported more severe damage, with several sites hit and nearly half its network temporarily down. Crazy Network said a central internet traffic exchange facility was struck, affecting customers in Kyiv, Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi.

Russia's Defense Ministry claimed it struck two specific Kyiv data centers it alleged supported Ukrainian defense and intelligence agencies, though this has not been independently verified or confirmed by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials said the attacks targeted civilian infrastructure critical to public safety, including systems that deliver warnings about incoming missile and drone strikes. The strikes also killed two people and injured at least 43, damaging residential buildings and other infrastructure.