Ukraine strikes Yandex data centre in third attack on Russian tech giant

A Ukrainian drone attack has damaged a Yandex data facility east of Moscow, marking the third strike against the Russian technology firm's sites within a single week, according to BBC News.

The company, frequently referred to as Russia's equivalent to Google, confirmed via Telegram that it had to completely pause activities at its centre in Vladimir following the incident. While no casualties were reported, the damage has disrupted multiple digital services. Prior to this latest event, Yandex had already reported difficulties keeping operations running after two other data facilities were struck in Sasovo on Thursday and Kaluga on Friday.

With three of its five data complexes now hit, Yandex admitted that it remains very difficult to forecast when regular functionality will be fully restored. The corporation operates widely used food-delivery, ride-hailing, and search services relied upon by tens of millions of citizens across Russia.

Kyiv stated that its operations aim to disrupt revenue streams supporting Moscow's ongoing war efforts, while also forcing Russian authorities to reallocate critical resources toward repairing digital and physical infrastructure. The cross-border targeting reflects a broader campaign by both nations to strike strategic infrastructure as the conflict enters its fifth year since Russia's full-scale invasion began.

The latest wave of drone strikes comes amid heightened diplomatic friction involving the United States. US President Donald Trump recently cautioned that Ukraine should cease strikes against Russian oil facilities. In reaction to an agreement facilitating the release of Russian diesel into the American market, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed strong objections. Writing on X, Zelensky stated that any moves toward de-escalation must involve mutual concessions and genuine assurances, adding that Ukraine would cease targeting oil infrastructure only if Russia halted attacks against Ukrainian energy systems. The comments drew a sharp reply from Trump, who suggested Ukraine required new leadership.

Meanwhile, Russian bombardments on Ukrainian territory have persisted without interruption over the weekend. Ukrainian emergency personnel reported that overnight strikes injured six individuals across four districts in the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. That followed a deadly series of Russian strikes on Saturday in Zaporizhzhia, which local authorities said claimed the lives of at least 20 people, including four children.