Did Ukraine’s Yandex Strikes Cripple Russia’s Bot Army?

Ukraine has struck data centers belonging to Yandex, often called “Russia’s Google,” disrupting digital services across Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims that social media became less hostile after the attacks, with fewer Russian bots operating. But how much damage have the strikes actually done, and what evidence supports his claim? DW examines Ukraine’s expanding campaign against Russian infrastructure with Phillips O’Brien, professor of strategic studies at the University of St. Andrews. The discussion explores the technical and strategic dimensions of targeting data centers, the challenges of verifying the impact on bot activity, and the broader implications for information warfare. The report also considers whether such strikes can meaningfully degrade Russia’s ability to conduct cyber operations and propaganda. It asks whether Ukraine’s focus on digital infrastructure represents a new front in the war and what it means for the future of conflict.