# Data Centers in the Crosshairs

> Ukraine and Iran attack Russian and Iranian data centers, disrupting internet services.
- Title: Data Centers in the Crosshairs · Foreign Policy | Shortify
- Summary: Ukraine and Iran attack Russian and Iranian data centers, disrupting internet services. Ukraine and Iran targeted data centers in Russia and Iran, causing…
- Keywords: ukraine, iran, russia, data centers, yandex, sberbank, persian gulf, internet outages, drone attacks, digital warfare, Data, Centers
- Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/20/data-centers-russia-ukraine-iran-gulf-internet-ai
- Author: Elisabeth Braw
- Published: 2026-10-21T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ukraine, iran, russia, data centers, yandex, sberbank, persian gulf, internet outages, drone attacks, digital warfare
## Ukraine targets Russian data centers
Ukraine has attacked Russian data centers, including Yandex and Sberbank, causing widespread internet outages.

> In the night of Oct. 7-8, Yandex’s data center in Sasovo was seriously damaged by a drone attack.
## Russia responds with data center strikes
Russia has retaliated by attacking Ukrainian data centers, disrupting services for millions of users.

> The Russian Defense Ministry called the attacks a 'mandatory digital detox' for Ukrainians.
## Iran strikes Persian Gulf data centers
Iran attacked Amazon and Bank Sepah data centers in the Persian Gulf, causing significant disruptions.

> Iran responded by blocking the Strait of Hormuz and striking Amazon data centers in the United Arab Emirates.
## Yandex reports critical damage
Yandex reported that its data centers in Sasovo and Kaluga were damaged by drone attacks, halting operations.

> Data centers are the 'iron heart' of Yandex. Their availability is critical for services that have become part of people’s daily lives.
## Zelensky links strikes to reduced social media bots
Zelensky stated that Yandex attacks reduced social media bots, leading to less hate and division in Ukraine.

> Thanks to the Yandex attacks, it suddenly became a little easier to breathe on many social media platforms.
## Internet outages impact daily life
Russians faced difficulties accessing emails, work files, and booking taxis after Yandex strikes.

> Russians have struggled to access their Yandex emails, open work files or book taxis.
## Historical context of data center attacks
World War II saw similar bombing of critical infrastructure, leading to 'area bombing' tactics.

> During the Blitz of World War II, Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe bombed British arms factories, but it also bombed ports and critical national infrastructure.
## Data centers as critical infrastructure
Data centers power essential services, including transportation, banking, and communication.

> Most governments have satellite-based backup systems, but satellites can only transmit a small percentage of the traffic that any country needs.
## Consequences of data center strikes
Attacks cause prolonged internet outages, disrupting daily life and economic activities.

> Your credit and debit cards would not work (unless you live in Sweden, Finland, or Australia).
## Data center warfare becomes inevitable
Data center attacks are now a standard tactic in modern warfare, affecting all future conflicts.

> As Ukrainians know, data center warfare is not just about inconveniences for internet-addicted citizens: It’s about targeting and disrupting backbone of modern societies and economies.
## Key takeaway

Ukraine and Iran targeted data centers in Russia and Iran, causing widespread internet outages and disrupting critical services.