Russian strikes on data centers aim to harm businesses and sow panic

He emphasized that the physical destruction of commercial data centers is entirely useless from a military or defense perspective.

"From a defense or state-level standpoint, this is utterly pointless," Olshanskyi said.

"I personally suffered severe losses: my data center was virtually destroyed. But this will not influence the situation on the frontline in any shape or form — that is completely obvious."

The tech executive also addressed the surge of unverified rumors and panic following the strikes.

"Over the past year, I received perhaps a single inquiry from journalists, yet yesterday alone I took calls from ten," Olshanskyi remarked.

"A whole wave of rumors arose: 'Tomorrow there will be no internet' or 'prices will increase fivefold.'"

According to Olshanskyi, the central threat posed by these targeted strikes is not a systemic, nationwide web blackout, but rather the localized commercial damage inflicted on individual companies paired with psychological pressure on the civilian population.

"The enemy's objective is to inflict damage, foment panic, and heighten public anxiety," Olshanskyi concluded.

Broad Telecommunications Infrastructure Impacts

Capital facility strikes: In the recent Russian air assault on Kyiv, an enterprise data center housing the critical hub hardware of provider UTELS sustained serious damage.

Network disruptions: Russian shelling similarly damaged a data center facility belonging to the Pavutyna network. In addition, internet service provider Crazy Network reported that a missile scored a direct hit on a central traffic exchange facility in Kyiv, knocking out network connectivity for subscribers across Vinnytsia, Kyiv, and Khmelnytskyi oblasts.

Hosting losses: Russian strikes destroyed operational hardware belonging to hosting provider CityHost.UA and obliterated the primary facility hosting server infrastructure for MiroHost.

Widespread provider fallout: Operational disruptions and hardware damage were subsequently confirmed by internet service providers Etherlink, KIEVNET, Domonet, and FAUST.