On the night of 18 October 2026, drones attacked the data centre of the Russian technology company VK in the Leningrad Oblast. The company’s press office officially confirmed the attack. Amid the night-time explosions, users of the social network «VKontakte» began complaining en masse about problems accessing the platform, receiving messages and loading the news feed. At the same time, reports emerged of power cuts in St Petersburg.
- Ukrainian drones attacked the VK data centre in the Leningrad Oblast.
- The company’s press office has officially confirmed that the attack took place.
- VKontakte users have reported disruptions to the social network’s service.
- Power cuts were also reported in St Petersburg.
VK has confirmed a drone attack on its data centre
On the morning of 18 October, a Russian technology company VK reported a drone attack on its data centre in the Leningrad Oblast.
The company’s press office confirmed that the attack had taken place, but assured users that its digital services remain available as normal.
Russian users began reporting issues with VKontakte as early as last night. The complaints related to loading the news feed, sending messages and accessing certain features of the platform.
Russian media outlets have also reported on disruptions to the social network’s service.
The company did not specify whether any server equipment had been damaged, how long the attack lasted, or whether it had directly affected the data centre’s operations.
A data centre and energy infrastructure were attacked near St Petersburg
According to the independent Russian publication ASTRA, one of its OSINT analysts examined video footage of the night-time explosions shared by eyewitnesses. Based on the results of the analysis, the journalists concluded that The VK data centre and a nearby electrical substation came under attack.
Following the explosions, reports of fires and power cuts began to appear on social media.
There is no official confirmation that damage to power equipment was the cause of the problems affecting VKontakte’s service.
There have been power cuts in St Petersburg
At the same time as the attack on the data centre, residents of St Petersburg reported partial power cuts in certain areas.
The Russian publication *Fontanka* reported that residents of the city had complained about a power cut lasting several tens of minutes.
According to the Governor of the Leningrad Region Oleksandra Drozdienko, debris from the drones falling onto power lines caused brief power cuts.
As of the morning of 18 October, around 20,000 people in 50 blocks of flats in a town near St Petersburg were still without electricity. Power company staff were carrying out emergency repair work.
Russia has claimed to have shot down 135 drones in the Leningrad Region
The night-time attack on the data centre took place against the backdrop of a massive drone strike on St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.
According to Governor Oleksandr Drozdhenko, as of 08:00, Russian air defences had allegedly shot down 135 drones over the region. This figure is based on a statement by the Russian side and has not been independently verified.
At the same time, the Governor of St Petersburg Oleksandr Beglov reported fires at several municipal infrastructure sites, including the St Petersburg oil terminal.
Operations at Pulkovo Airport have been temporarily restricted due to an air threat. As of 08:00, 32 flights were reported to be delayed by more than two hours, 21 departures had been cancelled and 11 aircraft had been diverted to alternative airports.
