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Cost of insuring Russian data centers against drone attacks skyrockets — rising more than 100-fold in some cases
Insurance for Russian data centres has become far more expensive since Ukrainian drone attacks on facilities operated by Yandex, Sberbank and VK began in October. The increase may make it harder for companies to protect these facilities against damage and other risks.
In the first half of 2026, premiums were 0.03–0.06% of insured property values; they have since risen to 1–5%, exceeding a 100-fold increase in some cases. The Russian National Reinsurance Company set a base rate of 1% for insured sums of 10 billion roubles and now handles some locations case by case. Experts say companies are responding by reducing coverage or excluding certain risks.
In short
- Data centre insurance rates have risen to 1–5%.
- Some premiums are more than 100 times higher.
- Companies are cutting cover or excluding risks.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Insurers can argue that sharp premium rises reflect a real increase in the likelihood and potential cost of damage after attacks on data centres, and that prices must keep pace with the risks they are asked to cover. Case-by-case assessment and narrower coverage may help insurers remain able to meet claims and keep offering protection in a volatile security environment.
The case against
Data-centre operators can argue that premiums rising by more than 100-fold, or coverage that excludes key risks, makes meaningful protection unaffordable precisely when it is most needed. Since these facilities support important digital services, reduced insurance could leave companies and their customers exposed to large losses and make recovery from attacks harder.