Ukraine’s drones knock out AI data center belonging to "Russia’s Google"

Ukrainian drone strikes have disabled two of the five data centers operated by Yandex, the Russian technology giant often referred to as "Russia’s Google." The attacks, which occurred on October 8 and 9 in the Sasovo and Kaluga regions, have significantly impacted Yandex's ability to maintain its AI chatbot and various online services. Ukrainian officials described the strikes as a symmetrical response to ongoing Russian drone campaigns that have targeted Ukraine’s own digital infrastructure, causing widespread disruptions to mobile and internet services since late September. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the operations on social media, emphasizing that the strikes were a precise, retaliatory measure against Russian attacks on Ukrainian data facilities. The incident highlights the growing role of critical digital infrastructure as a primary target in the ongoing conflict, directly affecting the operational capacity of major technology platforms.