Russia Hits Kyiv's Data Centers as Poland Calls a Starlink Gateway Fire Sabotage
Russian drones knocked out Kyiv data centers serving 100,000 households, and the same night a fire disabled a Starlink ground station in Poland that Warsaw says was set to cut the Ukrainian army's internet.
Russian drones knocked out Kyiv data centers serving 100,000 households, and the same night a fire disabled a Starlink ground station in Poland that Warsaw says was set to cut the Ukrainian army's internet.
Russian drone strikes on Sept. 23 and 24 damaged data centers and network nodes across Kyiv, disrupting internet service for about 100,000 households in the capital and its region, Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry said. "Since September, they have started taking it out systematically," Anatolii Frolenkov of the 1-IX internet exchange told the Kyiv Independent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Russia hit in Kyiv?
Drone strikes on Sept. 23 and 24 damaged data centers and network nodes used by providers including UTELS, Pavutyna, Domonet, Kievnet, Faust, Etherlink, MiroHost and Cityhost, per the providers' own statements.
How many people lost internet?
About 100,000 households in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast, according to Ukraine's Digital Transformation Ministry. Outages were scattered rather than nationwide.
What happened at the Starlink station in Poland?
A fire late on Sept. 23 damaged the power supply and backup generator at an Exatel-run Starlink ground station in Wola Krobowska. Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski called it deliberate sabotage.
Has Russia been blamed for the Poland fire?
Gawkowski said the incident fits a "new Russian doctrine of attack," but no suspect has been named or charged and the Kremlin has not commented.
Why does a ground station in Poland matter to Ukraine?
Gateways connect Starlink satellites to terrestrial networks. The Polish site and one in Lithuania serve Central and Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, according to Defence24.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.