In addition to energy facilities, Russia has begun attacking data centers and communication hubs of Ukrainian providers.
In particular, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed strikes on two Kyiv data centers — NewTelco and United DC — alleging that they were serving the military and intelligence services.
On September 23 alone, key technical sites were damaged in Kyiv and the surrounding region due to attacks, leaving over 100,000 homes without internet. Strikes on the capital's infrastructure continued on September 24 as well.
Destruction of equipment and service outages have already been reported by UTELS, Pavutyna, Etherlink, Crazy Network, Cityhost, MiroHost, KIEVNET, Domonet, and FAUST/Fast.net.
Official statements from Ukrainian providers confirm the scale of the threat:
- Pavutyna: "Due to enemy shelling, one of our data centers was damaged, which is why some of our subscribers may currently remain without connection."
- UTELS: "As a result of another enemy attack, one of the capital's data centers housing core equipment was damaged... The equipment remains without power supply."
Previously, we were all preparing mostly for power outages — buying power banks and charging stations. However, recent events show that you also need to take care of connectivity itself: even a home charging station won't help you have internet if your provider's central equipment is damaged.
Reasons for the lack of landline and mobile connectivity
The loss of network access during shelling and blackouts is caused by several critical factors:
- Destruction of backbone nodes, data centers, and physical lines
Damage to central equipment takes provider networks offline in several regions at once. Restoring server systems takes time. Similarly, communication cables laid along roads, bridges, and power lines are vulnerable to physical damage.
- Mobile network congestion
Along with strikes on providers, there remains a risk of shelling of the power system, leading to power outages. When home Wi-Fi disappears for any of these reasons, users switch to mobile data en masse, causing cell towers to become instantly overloaded.
"If the power goes out in a building and everyone suddenly wants to check the internet, even 5G will experience a drop in quality. The network is simply not configured for the entire building to be online constantly. Usually, a phone spends 90% of its time just maintaining a signal, but if everyone starts making calls, the network won't hold up," notes Adaptis co-founder Anton Sadykov.
- Difficulty maintaining energy reserves for base stations
Under Cabinet of Ministers requirements, operators are obligated to increase battery capacity at base stations, of which there are about 30,000 in Ukraine. This requires large-scale investments in every tower without direct state subsidies, creating a significant burden on the telecom market.
Practical steps for blackout preparation
1. Checking the connection technology (GPON)
GPON technology is actually a beneficial solution for both the subscriber and the operator. The technology is built on passive equipment in the building. An optical fiber runs from the central office, which is powered by high-capacity generators. A single station can provide internet to 10,000 users for an extended period (for example, the Adaptis corporate network can operate autonomously for up to 72 hours). The subscriber only needs to have backup power for their home router and terminal.
2. Activating Wi-Fi Calling (VoWiFi)
This technology allows you to make voice calls over your home Wi-Fi network when the GSM signal is lost.
For iOS (iPhone) users:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Select Cellular.
- Tap on Wi-Fi Calling.
- Toggle Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone to "On" and confirm the action in the pop-up window.
For Android users:
- Go to your smartphone Settings.
- Open Connections or Network & internet.
- Select Mobile networks or go to the settings for the specific SIM card.
- Find the Wi-Fi Calling (or VoWiFi) function and activate the corresponding switch.
3. Purchase an additional SIM card or eSIM
Having a card from an alternative operator gives you the ability to switch to another network if your primary operator's tower is de-energized or damaged.
Starlink satellite internet from Adaptis — your independence
In the event of the complete destruction of data centers or prolonged blackouts, the only fully reliable solution remains satellite communication. Starlink terminals do not depend on local provider equipment: they only require a clear view of the sky and power.
At Adaptis, we offer ready-made solutions:
- Adaptis protective cases reliably shield Starlink terminals from external factors, which increases the overall lifespan of the device.
- For those who find it particularly important to stay connected even during air raids, we have the Adaptis Amulet solution — a module that integrates into the terminal and helps it operate stably even under electronic warfare (EW) conditions.
- We provide comprehensive service and technical support at every stage: from selecting the optimal tariff to professional installation, setup, and subsequent support.
- All sales are conducted officially with VAT. We work with complete transparency and provide a full package of necessary documents for both individuals and businesses.
Preparing backup communication channels in advance allows you to maintain access to information and stay connected under any critical conditions.
Contact Adaptis — we will take care of your connectivity wherever it's needed.
