A senior figure in Russia’s State Duma, the lower house of parliament, reassured on Tuesday that there are no intentions to disconnect the country’s internet from the global network. This clarification comes after discussions surrounding a new decree that broadens the powers of state internet regulators. The decree, which was made public last Thursday, enhances the authority of Roskomnadzor to isolate or redirect internet traffic within Russia starting March 1, 2026, to address "specific threats." Such threats may include widespread outages, cyberattacks, failures in critical infrastructure, or disruptions in accessing domestic or international networks. The decree grants Roskomnadzor and the Ministry of Digital Development the ability to issue binding directives to telecom operators, which could allow Russia to sever its connection from the global internet in emergencies. The Federal Security Service (FSB) would also play a role in managing traffic isolation under these circumstances.
State Duma lawmaker Sergei Boyarsky, a member of the United Russia party, assured state news agency TASS, "There is no discussion of cutting off the Russian segment from foreign services."
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Ensuring Internet Accessibility Amid New Regulations
Boyarsky, who leads the Duma’s Committee on Information Policy, emphasized that the authorities have developed the capability to fend off cyberattacks and regulate harmful content while maintaining access to international online resources for Russian citizens. His remarks came in response to fellow State Duma lawmaker Alexei Chepa’s suggestion that Russia might consider isolating its internet segment from the global web in the event of foreign interference during next year’s parliamentary elections. Boyarsky asserted that the newly introduced decree simply updates a set of regulations first implemented in 2019 under Russia’s "sovereign internet" law, which sought to shield domestic networks from external threats.
Industry Experts and Advocates Respond to New Decree
According to IT experts and digital rights advocates, the changes introduced by the decree merely formalize what Roskomnadzor already practices. The rules that dictate how mobile operators should respond in emergencies have been in place for several years, and as a result, "nothing changes for customers," as stated by a spokesperson from Beeline, a major internet and phone provider in Russia, during a media briefing on Sunday.
A Call for Support from The Moscow Times
A note from The Moscow Times to its readers highlights the organization’s current challenges. Recently labeled as an "undesirable" organization by Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office, The Moscow Times faces significant risks, including potential prosecution. Previously branded as a "foreign agent," these actions are perceived as attempts to stifle independent journalism in Russia. Despite the government’s claims of discrediting its decisions, The Moscow Times remains committed to delivering accurate and unbiased news about Russia. The publication urges readers to support its mission, emphasizing the importance of their contributions, no matter the size, in sustaining open journalism amidst increasing repression.
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