<
https://therecord.media/russia-disrupts-internet-access-in-multiple-regions-runet>
'Residents of several Russian regions experienced internet disruptions over the
weekend as local authorities attempted to disconnect them from the global
network and test the country’s so-called “sovereign internet” infrastructure.
According to a report by the U.S. nonprofit Institute for the Study of War
(ISW), these trials mostly affected Russian regions populated by ethnic
minorities, including Chechnya, Dagestan and Ingushetia.
Data from the internet watchdog NetBlocks shows that the internet disruptions
in Dagestan lasted for nearly 24 hours.
During that time, users couldn’t access some foreign and local apps and
websites, including YouTube, Google, messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram,
and some services of Russian internet giant Yandex. These were inaccessible
even through virtual private networks (VPNs), according to local media reports.
A Russian internet service provider operating in the North Caucasus region
stated on Saturday that it was aware of user complaints about internet access
but could not influence the situation.
The goal of the sovereign internet tests, according to the Russian internet and
media regulator, Roskomnadzor, is to determine if Russian infrastructure is
ready "to maintain the operation of key foreign and domestic services in the
event of intentional external interference."
According to the ISW, Roskomnadzor likely deliberately tested sovereign
internet regions with Muslim-majority populations and recent histories of
instability, to potentially disconnect them from services like Telegram in the
event of instability. Russia had previously disrupted access to popular
messaging apps in remote regions like Bashkortostan, Dagestan and Sakha during
protests and social unrest.
Russia has long aimed to create its own internet, often referred to as the
Runet, which would function independently from the rest of the world and comply
with Russian laws. Roskomnadzor has previously conducted Runet trials, but
according to experts, they were unsuccessful and lasted less time than
expected.
However, Russia has stepped up its efforts recently to isolate itself from
global technology as many Western tech giants, including Apple, Microsoft and
Google, suspended or restricted their services in the country amid its war with
Ukraine, urging users and businesses to switch to Russian alternatives.
In September, Russian Forbes reported that the Kremlin had recently invested
roughly 59 billion rubles (about $648 million) into developing its technical
capabilities to restrict internet traffic and subsequently block Western
platforms.
Russian internet authorities also announced over the weekend that they might
restrict access in the country to eight foreign hosting service providers,
including GoDaddy, Amazon Web Services and HostGator, "for failing to comply
with their requirements."'
Via Violet Blue’s
Cybersecurity Roundup: December 10, 2024
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
