Russia Grants Regulator Power to Cut Off Global Internet by 2026
Starting March 1, 2026, Russia's internet regulator, Roskomnadzor, will gain the power to temporarily disconnect the country's internet from global networks. This authority will be activated in response to threats to domestic elections or national cybersecurity. Despite this new power, lawmakers have assured that commonly used foreign online platforms will remain accessible to Russian users.
Sergei Boyarsky, the head of the State Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, has clarified that Russia's internet will not be disconnected from foreign services. Instead, the country has developed the technical capability to block Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks and filter malicious content without severing international connections. This approach aims to protect domestic users while maintaining access to global online platforms.
From March 1, 2026, Roskomnadzor will have the authority to temporarily disconnect Russia's internet from global networks in response to specific threats. However, lawmakers have confirmed that commonly used foreign online platforms will remain accessible to Russian users, as Russia has developed the capability to block threats without disconnecting from international services.
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