Zelensky Claims Bombing Russian Data Centers Fixed the Internet
Ukraine’s Zelensky claims bombing Russian data centers reduced online hate, as bots and misinformation dominate the digital landscape.
2 min read
Our online world has become increasingly centralized and manipulated, with information coming from a handful of sources. This has made us more vulnerable to influence than ever before. The internet, once a vast and open space, now feels smaller and more controlled, with users relying on a few platforms for news and content.
Today, most people scroll through Instagram or X rather than explore independent blogs or websites. They engage with AI tools and subscribe to a few premium news outlets. This concentration of information has created a perfect environment for manipulation, and the consequences are becoming more apparent.
One of the key players in this digital warfare is Ukraine, which has been targeting Russian data centers. These centers, operated by Yandex — Russia’s equivalent of Google — handle a significant portion of automated online activity. In recent days, Ukraine has bombed at least three of these centers, located within 100 to 200 miles of Moscow. These strikes have been described as aggressive and impactful.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that these attacks have disabled swarms of Russian bots, resulting in a noticeable reduction of online hate and division. He made this claim during a victory lap in Warsaw, where he highlighted the impact of his actions on the digital landscape:
When we started responding to Russia’s operation against our data centers, and when our strikes reached Yandex’s data centers, it suddenly became a little easier to breathe on many social media platforms. A lot of people noticed it. There was less hate, less division, and fewer provocations.
Zelensky’s assertion that bombing Russian infrastructure has improved the internet is met with skepticism. Critics argue that his claim is a form of wartime propaganda, leveraging public fears about Russian influence and hacking capabilities. This narrative aligns with a broader trend of blaming Russia for online misinformation, a theme that has gained traction in Western politics.
Many Americans have been primed to believe that Russia can hack elections, manipulate social media, and control public opinion. This belief has made it easier for politicians to shift blame away from their own failures and onto Moscow. Zelensky is capitalizing on this perception, presenting the destruction of Russian data centers as a solution to the digital divide.
However, the reality is more complex. The internet is not just a battleground for state actors — it is also rife with corporate influence, influencer marketing, and hidden agendas. A recent The Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that many online figures are paid to shape public opinion without disclosing their financial ties. This has further eroded trust in digital content, making the problem of manipulation even more severe.
Source: Daily Wire
