Yandex, often referred to as 'Russia's Google', has suspended operations at a data center near Moscow after it was hit by a Ukrainian drone strike. This marks the third attack on the company's facilities within a week, highlighting the ongoing conflict's impact on Russian infrastructure.
The latest strike occurred on Sunday at the Vladimir data center, east of Moscow. Although there were no injuries reported, the attack has disrupted some of Yandex's services. The company confirmed that operations at the facility have been completely halted, and efforts are underway to restore connectivity. Yandex, which also operates popular food-ordering and taxi services, emphasized the critical role of its data centers in maintaining normal operations.
Earlier in the week, Yandex faced challenges in maintaining its services after two other data centers were targeted. On Thursday, a facility in Sasovo was hit, followed by another strike on Friday in Kaluga, south-west of Moscow. These attacks have forced the company to suspend operations at multiple sites, creating uncertainty about when full services will resume.
Amid these developments, tensions between the United States and Ukraine have surfaced. On Sunday, U. S. President Donald Trump was reported to have criticized Ukraine, urging it to cease attacks on Russian oil refineries. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted that any steps towards de-escalation must be mutual and accompanied by real guarantees. Zelensky expressed his readiness to halt strikes on Russian infrastructure if Russia reciprocates by stopping attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities.
Zelensky's comments came in the wake of a controversial deal between the U. S. and Russia, which involves the release of millions of tonnes of Russian diesel into the U. S. market. The Ukrainian leader has strongly condemned this agreement.
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, now in its fifth year following Russia's full-scale invasion, has seen both nations intensifying attacks on each other's infrastructure. Kyiv has stated that it targets sites contributing to Moscow's war efforts, aiming to force Russia to allocate resources for repairs.
Impact on Civilians
While Yandex grapples with the aftermath of the strikes, Russian attacks on Ukraine have also persisted. Over the weekend, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported that six people were injured in Russian strikes on four districts in the south-eastern Dnipropetrovsk region. On Saturday, at least 20 people, including four children, were killed in Russian attacks on Zaporizhzhia, according to local officials.
The ongoing conflict continues to cause fear and disruption for civilians, with some Ukrainians considering fleeing as winter approaches and Russian drone attacks escalate. The situation remains tense, with both sides showing no signs of backing down.
