Zelensky says Russia has widened attacks to target Ukraine's data centres

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that Russia has broadened its campaign of attacks to include strikes on Ukraine's data centres, describing the move as an attempt to undermine everyday civilian life.

According to Zelensky, the strikes are aimed at disrupting "people's ability to stay connected, study, work," pointing to the growing role that digital infrastructure plays in sustaining normal life during the ongoing war.

Widening the target list

Russia's air and missile campaign against Ukraine has previously focused heavily on energy infrastructure, including power plants and the electricity grid, particularly ahead of winter months when heating and electricity supply become critical. Zelensky's statement suggests that data centres and related digital infrastructure are now also being treated as targets.

Data centres underpin a wide range of services that Ukrainians rely on, from government and banking systems to remote work and online education, which have become especially important during the war as displacement and disrupted routines have pushed more daily activity online.

Ukrainian officials have repeatedly accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure as part of a broader strategy to wear down public morale and complicate daily life, characterisations that Moscow has denied in relation to previous strikes.

Zelensky's comments are likely to feature in Ukraine's continued appeals to Western allies for additional air defence systems and support to protect critical infrastructure as the war continues.