Support The Moscow Times!

Russia ‘Successfully Disconnected’ From World Wide Web in Tests – RBC

Vladislav Shatilo / RBC / TASS

Russia has “successfully disconnected” from the world wide web during tests of its “sovereign internet” technology, the RBC news website reported Wednesday.

Authorities have long flirted with tightening control over the internet on Russian territory, with past attempts to unplug from the global internet having mixed success.

The June 15-July 15 test run “tested the capabilities of physically disconnecting the Russian section of the internet,” RBC quoted one of its unnamed sources in the telecommunications industry as saying. A second source said it “aimed to determine whether ‘RuNet’ could work in the event of external distortions, blockages and other threats.”

“The official results have not yet been evaluated; the tests were provisionally recognized as successful,” another unnamed source said.

Citing information-security documents it said it had obtained, RBC reported that the final results of the coronavirus-delayed “sovereign internet” tests are expected by Aug. 31.

State-run telecommunications provider Rostelecom, Russia’s big four mobile phone providers and the owner of the world’s largest network of fiber optical cables reportedly took part in the internet isolation tests.

RBC reported that the tests did not appear to cause disruptions for regular internet users.

The tests are required to be carried out once a year, according to a law signed by President Vladimir Putin in 2019, but had to be put off last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Experts have expressed doubt in Russia’s ability to implement the technology to isolate itself from the rest of the internet. 

In addition to shutting off with an alternative domain name system (DNS), Russia’s “sovereign internet” law also demands more filtering by requiring internet providers to buy and install deep package inspection (DPI) tools.

The Kremlin confirmed the internet self-isolation tests later Thursday, saying Russia’s infrastructure should be prepared for foreign sanctions and cybercriminals.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more