---
title: "Russian Data Centers Move Underground Amid Drone Strikes"
url: https://noti.group/russian-data-centers-move-underground-amid-drone-strikes/
language: en
publisher: "Noti Group"
section: "Technology"
published: 2026-11-03T20:39:55.000Z
updated: 2026-11-04T00:23:11.636Z
id: a54a0cf3-3c46-4099-bada-90e31803db13
source: "Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/11/russia-looks-to-hide-data-centers-underground-as-ukrainian-drones-strike-back/"
attribution: "Link to https://noti.group/russian-data-centers-move-underground-amid-drone-strikes/ and name Noti Group when you quote or summarize this story."
---

# Russian Data Centers Move Underground Amid Drone Strikes

Russia's data centers are relocating underground due to drone strikes in Ukraine that damaged AI supercomputer facilities and disrupted cloud services.

Russian tech companies are rushing to fortify and relocate their data centers underground following a series of drone strikes in Ukraine that damaged facilities housing AI supercomputers and disrupted cloud services for millions of Russian users.

The Ukrainian military has launched retaliatory drone strikes targeting Russian cities and critical infrastructure since late September, including data centers operated by major Russian tech companies such as Yandex, Sberbank, VKontakte, and the Russian Ministry of Finance. These attacks have degraded or knocked out several key facilities, highlighting vulnerabilities in Russia's digital infrastructure.

In response to these threats, state-owned telecommunications company Rostelcom is exploring options for moving some data centers underground with nickel and palladium mining company Norilsk, according to local newspaper Vedomosti. The proposal aims to shield critical computing infrastructure from potential attacks by Ukrainian drones.

The Russian government has also issued new guidelines requiring data center owners to reserve computing capacity for emergency state needs, effectively giving the Kremlin control over certain aspects of Russia's digital infrastructure. Moreover, authorities have authorized the possible use of foreign data centers to mitigate disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts and attacks.

As part of these efforts, a regional governor in Russia has proposed building data centers within open-pit coal mines while disguising them as green public parks above ground. This unusual plan aims to provide an added layer of security for Russian computing infrastructure amidst the escalating tensions with Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration is taking steps to bolster the country's computing infrastructure in response to escalating tensions with Ukraine.

Putin has issued a decree that requires data center operators to reserve 10 percent of their available space and capacity for potential government use, according to Meduza. This move suggests growing concerns within the Kremlin about the vulnerability of Russian cloud computing infrastructure during the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

The decree also introduces a new policy allowing a special commission to authorize the use of foreign data centers in consultation with Russia's Federal Security Service. This marks a significant shift from previous measures, including the "Sovereign Internet Law," which restricted Russian companies from using external cloud computing services.

Russia's push for a self-contained internet has led to a highly centralized system dominated by domestic tech giants like Yandex. However, this approach has proven flawed during wartime, as Ukrainian drone strikes have disrupted critical digital services such as payment apps and e-commerce platforms.

Yandex itself has been forced to relocate its main supercomputers following attacks on the AI data centers where they were housed, according to Meduza's report.

Ukraine's digital services have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of relentless Russian attacks, particularly after the government took proactive measures to scatter critical energy and telecommunications nodes across different locations and bury supporting infrastructure underground.

The efforts of US tech giants Amazon and Microsoft have significantly contributed to this resilience, as they helped migrate Ukrainian government resources and vital digital services to cloud regions in Europe shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Additionally, Ukraine has leveraged SpaceX's Starlink satellite terminals, funded by the United States and European countries like Poland and Germany, as a reliable backup communications system.

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Source: [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/11/russia-looks-to-hide-data-centers-underground-as-ukrainian-drones-strike-back/)  
Published by Noti Group: https://noti.group/russian-data-centers-move-underground-amid-drone-strikes/