Key points: Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukraine's data centres and communications infrastructure, targeting facilities in Kyiv.

Ukrainian officials have voiced grave concern over the attacks, stating the country urgently needs the capacity to respond rapidly to missile and drone threats.

This follows earlier warnings from Russia regarding Kaliningrad, after which NATO condemned Russia's nuclear-related statements.

On 23 September 2026 in Kyiv, Ukraine, Ukrainian State Emergency Service firefighters were extinguishing a fire in an office building in the Solomianskyi district of Kyiv after a Russian Geran-5 jet-powered attack drone struck the capital.

In a wave of strikes against the Ukrainian capital, Russia continued to bombard Ukraine's data centres and communications infrastructure.

Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia intensified overnight strikes on Kyiv and other cities, launching anti-ship missiles, ballistic missiles and dozens of jet-powered drones, which Ukrainian air defences struggled to intercept.

Russia's Ministry of Defence said that on Tuesday Russian forces struck multiple targets in Kyiv, including a locomotive depot housing ground-based missiles and spare parts warehouses.

Targets also included the Bemobile data centre and the Parkovy data centre.

Russia's Ministry of Defence described the Bemobile data centre as one of Kyiv's main internet exchange hubs.

In recent days, Russia has repeatedly attacked data centres and internet service providers across Ukraine, aiming to disrupt the flow of information within the country.

Ukrainian officials are deeply worried about the attacks, saying the country urgently needs to build the capability to respond quickly to missile and drone threats.

Ukraine, for its part, is seeking to raise the cost of Russia's war, which has lasted more than four and a half years, by continuing to strike oil refining facilities and commercial internet platforms inside Russia.

Meanwhile, NATO publicly condemned Russia's nuclear threats on Tuesday, confirming that a tense diplomatic exchange had taken place with Moscow.

The military alliance made clear to Russia that NATO is a defensive alliance and that none of its activities or military exercises pose a threat to any Russian territory.

'An act of desperation'

The NATO response followed a warning issued on Monday by Russia's embassy in Belgium.

Russia accused NATO of escalating tensions around the Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad.

The embassy said Kaliningrad, squeezed between NATO members Poland and Lithuania, is a Russian strategic outpost, and that NATO's reckless and irresponsible actions there sharply increase the risk of direct military confrontation.

The Russian embassy also said that if NATO attempts to blockade the region, Moscow is prepared to use its entire military arsenal, according to Russia's state news agency TASS.

In the early hours of 30 September 2026, Kyiv came under missile and drone attack, and Ukrainian air defences were activated.

A NATO spokesperson said in a statement: "We strongly condemn threats of force, including all irresponsible nuclear rhetoric. We call on Russia to end its unprovoked war against Ukraine."

The spokesperson added: "Russia's use of various hybrid tactics is a sign of desperation. But it will not shake our determination to assist Ukraine. We have the full capability to defend every inch of NATO allies' territory and will remain vigilant and ready to respond to all kinds of threats."

The diplomatic exchange underscores the deep-seated diplomatic rift between Russia and the West since Russia launched its special military operation against Ukraine in early 2022.