Ukraine’s Critical Data Centers Under Escalating Attack, Former Deputy Defense Official Warns

Lviv, Ukraine — Ukraine faces a critical threat as Russian forces have intensified attacks on its data centers and communication infrastructure in recent weeks, according to Kateryna Chernohorenko, Ukraine’s former deputy minister of defense for digital transformation (2023-2025). She emphasized the urgent need to expand underground network capabilities and enhance anti-ballistic and counter-drone defenses to safeguard vital infrastructure.

On September 27, Russian drones targeted two of Ukraine’s largest telecom providers: the headquarters of Kyivstar, the national mobile network operator, and the data center of Vodafone Ukraine, as confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry via Reuters. These strikes mark a shift from earlier war phases, where such facilities were largely spared direct hits. Chernohorenko noted that Russian cyberattacks have also grown more sophisticated since the conflict began, pre-dating the war with increased digital aggression before adapting to Ukraine’s countermeasures.

The issue has escalated to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who publicly pledged strengthened data center protections in a September 25 Telegram statement. “Additional decisions have been made to protect our data center infrastructure and ensure its uninterrupted operation, as well as other facilities critically important in the communications sector,” he declared.

To mitigate risks, Ukraine previously implemented safeguards such as relocating data centers abroad and constructing underground facilities. However, Chernohorenko argues that current attack patterns require further action. She highlighted Russia’s similar strategy of deploying subterranean facilities, including drone production sites, which complicates Ukrainian defense efforts and demands continuous surveillance.

“Naturally, you cannot move everything underground,” Chernohorenko stated in an interview at the IT Arena conference in Lviv on September 26. “An important aspect is boosting Ukrainian anti-ballistic and anti-drone capabilities, which are already in critically short supply.” She specifically cited F-16 fighter jets as a key asset against jet-powered drones, though maintenance delays threaten operational readiness.

According to Chernohorenko, Ukraine’s F-16 fleet faces significant sustainment challenges, with nearly the entire fleet reportedly inoperative due to a 40-week maintenance backlog after being transferred to a Belgian repair facility. A recent Wall Street Journal report also revealed logistical hurdles slowing jet readiness. She warned that without accelerated maintenance cycles and thousands of additional F-16 munitions, Ukraine risks having insufficient operational jets by year-end. Chernohorenko cautioned that such shortages could severely undermine Ukraine’s ability to protect its digital infrastructure and broader security posture.

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