Digital Infrastructure of Kyiv Oblast after De-occupation: Losses and Recovery

The article examines the state, losses, and directions of recovery of the digital infrastructure of Kyiv Oblast after the de-occupation and destruction of its territories as a result of Russia's full-scale aggression. It is determined that digital infrastructure represents a fundamental element of the modern socio-economic system, ensuring the functioning of communications, public services, business, and governance. Its structure is revealed as a combination of hard (network and technical) and soft (organizational, service, and managerial) components that interact within the regional digital ecosystem. An assessment of the scale of telecommunication infrastructure damage, losses incurred by service providers, and the negative socio-economic consequences of disrupted digital communications has been carried out. The processes of digital infrastructure recovery in Kyiv Oblast during 2022–2024 and their impact on the restoration of social and economic activity in local communities have been analyzed. It is shown that rebuilding digital networks has become one of the most dynamic areas of post-war reconstruction, allowing the region to rank among the twelve leading oblasts with the highest Digital Transformation Index. Using the examples of the Boryspil, Bucha, and Irpin communities, it is demonstrated that digital solutions accelerate the recovery of municipal services, business processes, and management systems. The main challenges have been identified: uneven coverage, the digital divide between urban and rural communities, and the shortage of qualified personnel and digital skills. The article substantiates the key directions for further development — the expansion of hard digital infrastructure, enhancement of digital competencies, advancement of e-governance, development of cybersecurity, and promotion of the digital economy in local communities. The results confirm that digital infrastructure functions not only as an object but also as a catalyst for post-war recovery, contributing to regional resilience, competitiveness, and integration into the European digital space.