---
title: "Zelenskyy comments on the Yandex data center attack: a strategy of mirror responses"
description: "Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a policy of mirror responses to infrastructure strikes following an attack on the Yandex data center on October 8, 2026, emphasizing civilian protection."
date: 2026-10-08T18:50:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-yandex-datacenter-strike
tags: [ukraine, russia, yandex, cyber-warfare, zelenskyy]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Zelenskyy comments on the Yandex data center attack: a strategy of mirror responses

![Server room in a data center](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/08/zelensky-yandex-datacenter-strike/zelensky-yandex-datacenter-strike-1.webp)

## 🎯 Key Points

- Kyiv has adopted a policy of mirror strikes on Russian digital infrastructure.
- Zelenskyy confirmed responsibility for the Yandex data center strike.
- Ukraine officially denies any intent to target civilian infrastructure.

On October 8, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine is employing a strategy of "mirror responses" to strikes on its critical infrastructure. According to the Head of State, recent incidents affecting technological facilities within the Russian Federation are a direct consequence of the long-term shelling campaign directed at Ukrainian facilities by the aggressor.

### Details of the retaliation strategy

Commenting on the recent incident involving a fire at the Yandex data center in the Ryazan region, Zelenskyy emphasized that such actions are a necessary measure. "Data centers, as you all know, they hit and continue to hit our data centers. We have responded to them," the President stated, while avoiding any discussion of technical details or operational methods. Such actions have led to widespread disruptions in key Russian online services, including propaganda resources.

### The cost of conflict and the moral aspect

The President particularly noted that Ukraine strictly adheres to the principle of protecting the civilian population. Citing tragedies in Pryluky and Kramatorsk, where dozens of people, including children, were killed and injured by shelling, Zelenskyy stressed: "Ukraine certainly does not target children. And it never will." However, the head of state warned that the adult figures responsible for war crimes would soon receive their response.

### Contradictory data

There are discrepancies in the interpretation of events by various media outlets. While Ukrainian and international observers characterize the attack as a legitimate response to the destruction of critical infrastructure, Russian sources, such as News.ru, focus on the consequences for the civil sector and internet functionality. Furthermore, certain pro-Kremlin publications attempt to interpret the event within the context of geopolitical confrontation, calling it a "failure of Western handlers," which contrasts sharply with Kyiv's official position regarding the sovereign nature of its decisions.

## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification

- [Зеленский сделал заявление об ударе по дата-центру "Яндекса"](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-zrobiv-zayavu-udar-data-tsentru-1791484922.html) - Первоисточник заявления президента.
- [Украина впервые ударила по дата-центру «Яндекса». «Яндекс.Диск» работает со сбоями](https://nashaniva.com/ru/406347) - Подтверждение факта технического сбоя.
- [Удар по дата-центру «Яндекса»: атаки БПЛА 8 октября, жертвы, что с Интернетом](https://news.ru/russia/vsu-udarili-po-data-centru-v-rossii-ataki-bpla-8-oktyabrya-zhertvy-chto-s-internetom) - Акцент на гражданских последствиях и пропагандистская риторика.
- [Глаза и уши НАТО сожжены у Киева: Зеленский подвел западных кураторов](https://news.mail.ru/society/72331026/) - Подтверждено по источнику news.mail.ru

## ❓ FAQ

### Q: Was the strike on the Yandex data center officially confirmed?
**A:** President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the fact of a "mirror response" to Russian data centers in retaliation for similar actions by Russia.

### Q: Why is Ukraine striking servers?
**A:** According to Zelenskyy, this is a mirror response to systematic Russian strikes on Ukrainian data centers and critical infrastructure.