Blocked from the Global Internet, Russia Is Spilling Digital

“I plan to work in Russia for the time being,” he said. “How this might change in the future, especially if YouTube is blocked, I don’t know.”

Unlike China, where domestic internet companies have thrived for over a decade, Russia similarly lacks a vibrant local internet or tech industry.

As such, the fallout could be severe as it is cordoned off into its own digital ecosystem. As well as access to independent information, the future reliability of internet and telecommunications networks and the availability of essential software and services used by businesses and government are at risk.

Already, Russian telecom companies that operate cellular networks can no longer access new equipment and services from companies such as Nokia, Ericsson and Cisco. Efforts by Russian companies to develop new microprocessors have been cast into doubt after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the largest basic semiconductor manufacturer, stopped shipments to the country. Yandex, Russia’s largest internet company, with a search engine more widely used in Russia than Google. warned may default on its debts due to the crisis.

“The entire IT, hardware and software market that Russia relied on is severely damaged right now,” said Aliaksandr Herasmenka, a researcher in Oxford University’s democracy and technology programme. He said Russian authorities could respond by relaxing rules that make it illegal to download pirated software.

The Ukrainian government also pressured internet service providers to cut off access to Russia. Ukrainian authorities have asked ICANN, the non-profit group that oversees internet domain names, to suspend the Russian internet domain “.ru”. The nonprofit resisted these demands.

Denis Lyashkov, a self-taught web developer with more than 15 years of experience, said Russia’s censorship campaign was “destructive” for those who grew up with a less restricted internet.