Data Centers Become War Targets, Pressuring Europe to Rethink AI Infrastructure Plans

Data centers have emerged as key military targets in the Russia-Ukraine war, prompting calls for the European Union (EU) to reconsider its artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure strategy. Russia attacked data centers in Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, while Ukrainian drones have reportedly struck several data centers inside Russia in recent weeks. Kyiv authorities said the attacks were aimed at countries funding Moscow's war effort.

Mehdi Payavi, founder of the International Data Center Authority (IDCA) Expert Group and a UN advisor, said in an interview that data centers have become the new frontline of warfare. "Hitting a sufficiently important target can bring down an entire economy," he noted. As societies become more digitalized, the risk grows that military, medical, and financial functions could be paralyzed if data center operations are disrupted. The strategic value of data centers has risen particularly as AI has been used for military purposes such as drone operations in the Ukraine war.

Payavi said conventional advice on site selection or confidentiality is no longer sufficient, and that data centers may need to be built with defense in mind. "They may need steel domes, they may need to be built underground, or bunkers may be needed," he said. "The days when data centers were simply built in random locations are over." Asked whether the strikes would lead European governments to rethink their AI gigafactory plans, he replied, "100%."

The European Commission is running a tender to build up to seven AI gigafactories across Europe. AI gigafactories are massive data centers that concentrate the computing power needed for AI development. The tender was originally set to close on November 12, but after supplementary procedures, the final deadline was extended to December 3. The Commission plans to finish accepting bids by the end of the year and select final winners in early 2026. With the tender process still open, attention is focused on how these security discussions will be reflected in the bid evaluation.