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Ukrainian strikes on Yandex and other Russian data centers disrupt services

Yandex, Sberbank and VKontakte facilities were hit, and Yandex says it is working to restore service.

Updated Oct 22, 2026 · 06:15 UTC2 reports

The short version

Ukrainian strikes this month hit Yandex, Sberbank and VKontakte data center facilities.[Associated Press]
Millions of Russians reported disruptions to money access, taxis and food orders.[NBC News]
Yandex said no employees were hurt and it is restoring service; Kremlin spokesman Peskov said government aid is premature.[NBC News]
Minister Maksut Shadayev said authorities are looking at protecting data centers after an unprecedented attack.[NBC News]

Ukraine hit three Yandex data centers, one Sberbank facility and one VKontakte facility this month, according to reporting.[Associated Press]
Millions of Russians reported effects including limited access to money, taxi services and takeout orders.[NBC News]
Yandex said on Oct. 9 that no employees were hurt and that it is working to restore service.[NBC News]
The Sasovo data center, hit on Oct. 8, houses two of Yandex's three supercomputers.[Associated Press]
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said talk of government financial support was premature.[NBC News]

Effects on Russian AI development and replacement timelines are attributed projections, not established outcomes.[Associated Press]
The government response remains preliminary; officials called support premature and said protection measures are under review.[NBC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.