India, Oct. 20 -- Ukrainian strikes on data centres operated by Russian tech company Yandex have disrupted key digital services, leaving users struggling to access bank accounts, book taxis and unlock smart doors in their homes. The attacks signal widening of the conflict, bringing Russia's digital infrastructure into the picture.

This comes as Kyiv faces pressure from Washington to avoid targeting Russian energy facilities, a move intended to preserve diesel supplies to international markets.

"I ended up in a situation where I had absolutely no money. Well, I had the money, but it was inaccessible," Irina, a blogger from St Petersburg told NBC News.

Irina wished that "it would be fixed in a few hours," as her rent was due on the day t...