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Russian tech firms consider underground data centres after Ukrainian strikes
Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged major Russian data centres, disrupting cloud services and popular apps. Russian technology firms are now considering underground facilities, while the Kremlin is reserving computing resources for state use and allowing possible access to foreign data centres.
Rostelecom has discussed moving facilities underground with mining company Norilsk, and a regional proposal would place data centres in open-pit coal mines beneath parks. A decree signed by Vladimir Putin on 2 November requires operators to reserve 10 per cent of available space and capacity for government needs. The shift highlights the vulnerability of Russia’s concentrated digital infrastructure, while Ukraine has relied on dispersed systems, European cloud services and Starlink as backups.
In short
- Ukrainian strikes have disrupted Russian data centres and services.
- Russia is considering underground facilities and foreign cloud capacity.
- Putin ordered operators to reserve 10 per cent for state needs.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters of underground data centres argue that recent strikes expose how vulnerable concentrated digital infrastructure can be, and that facilities built below ground could better protect essential services from attack. Reserving some computing capacity for government use could also help keep public administration and other state functions running during a crisis.
The case against
Critics could argue that underground construction is costly and complex, and may shift resources towards protecting infrastructure without resolving the broader risks of disruption. Requiring operators to reserve capacity for the state could constrain commercial services and investment, while permitting access to foreign data centres may create new dependencies and security concerns.
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Originally published by Ars Technica as “Ukraine’s drone strikes spur hasty Russian plans for underground data centers”.