Eastern Europe / Tech
Russia showcases a "made in Russia" supercomputer and large volume gas turbine
Russia’s top university, the Moscow State University (MGU), has announced it has developed one of the world’s “second or third most powerful” supercomputers, and Putin has also unveiled Russia's first large volume gas turbine.
Russian firms embrace AI and robotics to boost productivity, despite challenges
As Russia’s economy slowly comes under more pressure as the military Keynesianism effects that have been boosting growth start to wear off, Russia’s leading firms are casting around for ways to enhance productivity.
Russian tech startups, cybersecurity firms flourish amid sanctions
Despite facing extensive international sanctions, Russia's technology sector is witnessing a surge in local startup activity, with innovative companies emerging to fill gaps left by departing international firms.
Russian Telegram crashed as news of Iran’s attack on Israel broke
Russian Telegram crashed on the evening of October 1 as news broke of a large-scale Iranian missile attack on Israel.
Nebius enters European AI infrastructure race with multi-billion-dollar investment plan - Volozh
Nebius, an AI firm formed as a result of a spinoff of Russian IT giant Yandex' international business, has announced the launch of a new GPU cluster in Paris. The move comes as part of the company's plans to invest more than $1bn by mid-2025 in AI.
Kazakhstan and Nasdaq-listed fintech Kaspi fight back against short seller’s report
Regulator argues company is “one of the country's systemically important banks” that is in full compliance with sanctions regimes.
Russian IT sector hit by latest round of US sanctions, SMEs in the front line
Major international tech firms are leaving the Russian market after the latest round of tech sanctions came into effect on September 12, The Bell reports.
Russia's AI ambitions may hit the wall
The Russian government has recently updated its strategy for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to create a regulatory framework, foster growth of human resources and facilitate technological efficiency.
Durov charged on 12 counts of complicity in illegal activity on Telegram
Russian internet entrepreneur Pavel Durov has been charged with 12 counts of failing to cooperate with a French police investigation and complicity in a number of crimes, including drug trafficking, distribution of child pornography and fraud.
Messaging service Telegram on trial follow the arrest of its founder Durov
Pavel Durov has been in custody in France for a day, but there is still no official information about the arrest itself or the claims against him. French authorities say he was arrested for refusing to cooperate in criminal investigations.
Telegram and WhatsApp messengers disrupted in Russia in possible shutdown test-run
The operations of Russia’s most popular messenger Telegram of internet guru Pavel Durov have been disrupted for several hours on August 21, according to Tass and other media. WhatsApp is also reportedly having problems.
5G in Russia hits a road bump
The development of fifth generation (5G) mobile phone networks in Russia has stalled due to problems with equipment and uncertain financial conditions of local operators.
If Russia blocks YouTube, will WhatsApp be next?
The Kremlin-controlled technology company VK is developing a new application to potentially replace WhatsApp ahead of a potential block of the American messenger.
Co-founder of Wildberries trying to block merger deal with Rospatent complaint
Vladislav Bakalchuk, co-founder of the Wildberries marketplace, is attempting to prevent a controversial merger between the leading e-commerce platform and the Russ Group of Companies by filing a complaint with Rospatent.
Russia’s online grocery business shrinks due to lack of couriers
Russia’s online grocery market has contracted for the first time in two years due to a severe shortage of couriers, The Bell reported on August 8.
Russia legalises crypto mining, payments
As Western sanctions against Russian financial institutions continue to tighten, Moscow has taken significant steps to legalise crypto, which could potentially help it circumvent the sanctions.
VK app downloads surge as Kremlin throttles YouTube
Downloads of the VK app, Russia’s answer to Facebook, has surged after the Kremlin throttled the loading speed of videos to YouTube, The Moscow Times reported on August 7.
Rutube doubles its audience in a year
The average daily audience for RuTube, Russia’s answer to YouTube, more than doubled in the last year.
Kaspersky Lab uncovers LianSpy trojan spyware targeting Android devices in Russia
The specialists of Russian software security company Kaspersky Lab have identified Trojan spyware, dubbed LianSpy, that has been used for cyberespionage against targeted Android device owners in Russia.
“Not a takeover, but a divorce” in Russian e-commerce major Wildberries
Russia’s largest e-commerce operator Wildberries continues to be rocked by controversy surrounding a merger deal with Russ Group, the outdoor advertising operator. Now the founder Tatiana Bakalchuk is getting divorced from husband.