Russia Unleashes New Internet Firewall: Will Global Netizens Feel The Crackdown

Russia’s communications authority, Roskomnadzor, has reportedly conducted a test that blocked foreign websites and applications in some regions, leaving many users struggling to bypass restrictions. The test, which affected residents in Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, highlighted the country’s growing efforts to create its own sovereign internet.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) revealed that Roskomnadzor conducted the trial over the weekend, causing issues with popular services like WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, Google, and even Russian internet giant Yandex. Unlike in China, where residents can use virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent Beijing’s restrictions, most VPNs failed to provide a solution for Russians trying to access the blocked content.

Russian digital rights NGO Roskomsvoboda acknowledged that while some VPNs didn’t work during the test, there were still others that did manage to bypass the restrictions. However, the organization refused to disclose the number of successful VPNs or which ones they were.

Russia’s efforts to restrict internet access have been ongoing for years, with the country performing a series of tests in 2019 to assess its ability to separate Russia from the global internet while maintaining local services using a DNS cache. The move has raised concerns about the impact on online freedom and the potential for increased censorship.

The Kremlin’s push for a sovereign internet is largely driven by its desire to restrict Western influence and control online content. In 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions from Western companies, Russia fully disconnecting its RuNet from the global internet seemed increasingly likely. However, the Russian Ministry for Digital Technology, Communication and Mass Media at the time denied any plans for such an action.

Recent investments in restricting internet traffic have highlighted the Kremlin’s commitment to this goal. In 2024, ISW reported that Russia has invested approximately $648 million into developing its technical capabilities to restrict internet traffic. Additionally, the government has been trying to persuade Russians to migrate from Western social media platforms to domestic alternatives that are more easily controllable.

Roskomnadzor warned that it could block eight foreign web hosting providers, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), GoDaddy, and HostGator, from operating in the country due to noncompliance with Russian censorship laws. This move is seen as another step towards creating a more controlled online environment.

Concerns about online freedom and censorship are growing as Russia’s sovereign internet plans continue to unfold. The test conducted by Roskomnadzor has highlighted the challenges of bypassing restrictions, leaving many users in the dark about their ability to access blocked content.