Russian jet-powered drones disrupt Ukrainian data centres and telecoms infrastructure
Russian jet-powered drone strikes have intensified attacks on Ukrainian data centres since September 23, disrupting internet and phone services for thousands of people. These attacks are significant because they threaten Ukraine's digital economy and wartime resistance efforts, targeting the telecommunications infrastructure that supports critical services including banks, payment systems and public administration.
Ukrainian air defences currently intercept about 85 per cent of conventional Iranian-supplied Shahed drones, but this falls to 50–60 per cent against faster, jet-powered variants that Russia has begun deploying. Russia's strategy appears designed to exploit these air defence gaps whilst exhausting Ukraine's missile interceptor stocks, particularly as the colder autumn and winter months approach. Though Ukraine has relocated some data centres and begun building underground telecommunications networks for resilience, officials stress that additional international air defence support is essential to adequately protect critical infrastructure.
- Russian jet-powered drones striking Ukrainian data centres, disrupting essential internet and phone services.
- Ukrainian air defences intercept only 50–60 per cent of faster jet-powered drone variants.
- Zelenskyy calls for more international air defence support to protect critical digital infrastructure.
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Russia is now using a faster, jet-powered drone that is harder to shoot down than earlier models. This variant is attacking Ukraine's data centres and telecommunications networks, which are critical to the country's war effort and economy.
These networks handle banking systems, payments and government services, and enable Ukrainians to communicate. When they are damaged by drone strikes, thousands of people lose internet and phone access, disrupting everyday life and Ukraine's ability to function during wartime.
Ukraine's air defence systems can intercept roughly 85 per cent of the older, slower drones, but only manage to stop about half of the newer jet-powered versions. Russia appears to be deliberately targeting this weakness in Ukraine's defences whilst also depleting supplies of air defence missiles, a challenge that becomes more acute as winter approaches.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Ukraine's telecommunications and data infrastructure directly enables military operations including command-and-control, air defence coordination, and military logistics. Targeting infrastructure that directly supports military operations is a standard military strategy aimed at degrading an opponent's war-fighting capabilities. Even though civilian services are disrupted, such infrastructure constitutes a legitimate military target when it materially contributes to the adversary's defence effort.
The case against
These attacks cause disproportionate harm to civilians dependent on telecommunications for essential services such as banking, emergency services, and business operations. International humanitarian law restricts attacks on dual-use infrastructure when the anticipated civilian harm outweighs the concrete military advantage, and the targeting pattern indicates this threshold has been exceeded. Ukraine has the right to defend its critical infrastructure and civilian population, and requires international military support including advanced air defences to adequately protect these systems and the services millions depend upon.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Russian drones strike Ukraine’s data centers by exploiting air defense gaps”.