Russia / Tech
Russia blocking messaging apps again, sets up copycat Telegram app
Russia’s internet watchdog Roskomnadzor has been blamed for another round of internet outages in Russia, as the state sets up a Telegram messaging app clone as the Kremlin continues to take increasing control of RuNet.
Russia plans new “anti-fraud” restrictions on RuNet use
The Russian government has unveiled a sweeping package of draft legislation billed as a crackdown on online fraud, but rights groups warn it will significantly expand state surveillance powers and online repression, Meduza reported on September 30.
Russia launches a revolutionary industrial-scale closed fuel cycle reactor
President Vladimir Putin claims Russia has made a nuclear technology breakthrough and has developed a closed fuel cycle power system to tackle global uranium shortages.
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Telegram owner Durov says French, Moldovan governments asked him to block anti-government accounts ahead of elections
The owner of the Telegram messaging service Pavel Durov said that the French intelligence approached him earlier this year and asked him to block anti-government channels in the run up to this weekend's elections on two occasions.
RuNet grows 40% in 2024 to $250bn, driven by e-commerce and AI
The RuNet economy expanded by 40% in 2024, reaching RUB24.03 trillion, with e-commerce accounting for more than 91% of the total, according to a study by the Russian Association of Electronic Communications.
Russian AI accelerates but sanctions leave it trailing global leaders
Russia’s artificial intelligence industry is expanding rapidly but remains hobbled by limited access to advanced computing power due to Western technology sanctions.
Iran delivers high efficiency gas turbines to Russia to replace sanctioned Siemens equipment
The extreme sanctions imposed on Russia have hit industrial sectors the hardest, which have been almost entirely dependent on imports of high quality foreign made machinery for almost all of the last three decades since the fall of the Soviet Union.
Nebius shares surge 50% after $17.4bn AI cloud deal with Microsoft
The shares of Nebius Group, the AI cloud company founded by Yandex co-founder Arkady Volozh, jumped 50% in after-hours trading on September 8 after the announcement of a major agreement with Microsoft.
Russian state Max messenger mandatory across all devices
As of September 1, the Max messenger of state-controlled internet major VK is legally prerequired to be preinstalled on every smartphone and tablet sold in Russia, as well as be featured mandatory on the Russian app store RuStore, including on Apple.
Migrants in Moscow spooked by government order to download geolocation app by Sept 1
“Amina” surveillance will inform interior ministry of guest workers’ exact whereabouts.
Russia builds major signals intelligence hub near Nato borders in Kaliningrad
Russia is constructing a large-scale signals intelligence facility near Chernyakhovsk, in the Kaliningrad exclave, less than 100 kilometres from the borders of Poland and Lithuania, United24 Media reported on August 24.
Russian government draws up action plan to tighten control over internet
The Russian government has approved a sweeping action plan mandating operators to monitor user activity and granting law enforcement agencies powers to restrict communication services.
T-Technologies posts 83% jump in revenue and near-doubling of net profit for Q2 2025
T-Technologies, formerly Tinkoff Bank and now the Russian technology group developing a financial and lifestyle ecosystem, reported a sharp increase in revenue and profits for the second quarter and first half of 2025.
Kyivstar to become first Ukrainian company listed on US stock exchange
Ukraine’s largest mobile operator, Kyivstar, is set to become the first Ukrainian company to list on a US stock exchange, with plans to debut on the Nasdaq later this year. The company could raise between $50mn and $200mn through the listing.
Russia rolls out AI to track street vendors St Petersburg
St Petersburg deploys AI to catch illegal street vendors with $600 fines. Mobile systems on patrol cars automatically detect unauthorised trading posts, with neural networks monitoring compliance.
Yango Group rolls out bilingual AI assistant ‘Yasmina’ in Oman
Russian tech-driven Yango Group launched Yasmina, its human‑like bilingual AI assistant, in Oman.