Russian-Ukraine armed conflict: Lessons learned on the digital ecosystem

Abstract

Since February 2022, the Russian-Ukrainian armed conflict significantly impacted the digital landscape. This study examines the conflict's impacts on the local and global digital ecosystem. Using grey literature, we analyzed English-language data sources primarily published between November 2022 and April 2023, which were based on data sources from the commencement of the conflict to the publication date. The investigation reveals insights into four categories: cyber and kinetic warfare, telecommunications, IT and cloud computing, digital geopolitics and resilience. The main insight in cyber warfare is that cyber attacks on Ukraine's digital infrastructure were only partially effective despite the massive involvement of cybercrime groups implementing adaptive wiping and DDoS attacks on behalf of national interests. The cyber defense success resulted from the allies' support for Ukraine and a well-established and implemented national cybersecurity strategy. Kinetic attacks against data centers have accelerated the migration of data and applications to cloud computing. The most incredible legacy of the current conflict is the positive paradigm shift in the cloud's security and privacy capabilities for sensitive systems' continuous operation as an alternative to system disability in locally destroyed data centers. The third insight reveals Telecom's reliance on satellite network suppliers and mobile power equipment, such as High-Capacity batteries, which are in shortage worldwide. Digital geopolitics alters the paradigms of digital resilience. Global tech companies assume the role of digital nations and superpowers while taking sides. During the conflict, we observe for the first time in practice the digital blockade by global techies of one side of the conflict and the digital support of the other, thereby shaping paradigms regarding digital sovereignty as digital resilience.