On September 23, 2026, as a result of a Russian strike on Kyiv's infrastructure, three data centers were damaged, housing equipment for local internet providers. According to data cited by Adaptis co-founder and CEO Nikolai Kalinichenko in a comment to RBC-Ukraine, connectivity problems affected approximately 100,000 households in the capital and the Kyiv region. The expert emphasized: when damage occurs at the provider's node level, even a fully charged power bank cannot restore internet access for the end user. The speed of connectivity restoration, he said, largely depends on the condition of the equipment outside the residential premises.
Mobile Internet as the First Backup
While provider technicians work on repairing the damaged network, the fastest available option for restoring connectivity, according to Kalinichenko, is mobile internet. The expert recommends that users try to share their mobile network from their phone, and in case of an unstable connection — switch to another mobile operator. At the same time, he warns: during large-scale outages, mobile networks may be overloaded, and having a second SIM card or eSIM does not guarantee stable internet access. Nevertheless, it is better to activate a backup SIM card or eSIM in advance and test it specifically in the apartment or office where it will be used in an emergency.
GPON: Fiber Optics That Do Not Depend on Electricity
To prepare home connectivity in case of repeated incidents, Kalinichenko advises checking in advance with your provider whether GPON technology connection is available and how the corresponding equipment is powered. "GPON is a fiber-optic connection with passive intermediate equipment that does not require electricity. At home, you usually need to power the router and the optical terminal to which the cable is connected," the expert explained. This option allows you to stay online even during power outages, however its functionality still depends on the integrity of the cable line and the operation of the provider's node.
Wi-Fi Calling and Satellite Communication
Another tool that may come in handy in an emergency, Kalinichenko named the Wi-Fi Calling feature. It allows you to make calls from your own number via a Wi-Fi connection when there is no mobile signal. Support for this feature depends on the smartphone model and the specific mobile operator. The expert emphasizes an important nuance: if the home connection is lost due to damage to a data center, activating Wi-Fi Calling will not restore the internet — it only provides voice communication through the existing Wi-Fi connection.
Satellite internet, in particular Starlink, the expert considers as an additional connection that does not use the local provider's cable line. However, for it to work, stable power and an unobstructed view of the sky are required: neighboring buildings or trees may interrupt the connection. Kalinichenko recommends checking the installation location before purchasing a terminal, and after connecting — testing the equipment's performance in real conditions. A backup connection method, he says, is best set up in advance, before an emergency arises, to ensure that the chosen option is suitable for a specific house, apartment, or office.
It Is Impossible to Completely Cut Off the Capital
Despite the scale of the damage, it has not been possible to completely leave Kyiv without internet through such strikes: Ukrainian operators have backup communication channels. Nevertheless, the September 23 incident once again demonstrated the vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure and the need for every user to have a pre-tested backup connection option.
