Russia’s digital minister outlines plan if country is cut off from European Internet

Russia would redirect Internet traffic through Asian territory in the event of disconnection from European exchange points. This was stated by Maksut Shadaev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development.

He noted that ‘Rostelecom’ as the main backbone operator is ready for such a scenario.

According to the minister, there have been “one or two precedents of Russian operators being disconnected from international traffic exchange points”.

Currently, there are no reported problems in this area on the European front, added Shadaev.

Earlier in February, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev warned that Russia could be cut off from the global Internet.

On March 5, federal executive authorities and the subjects of the Russian Federation received a telegram signed by Deputy Head of the Ministry of Digital Development Andrey Chernenko with recommendations for protecting the country’s information infrastructure. ForkLog experts interviewed saw in it indirect prerequisites for Runet isolation.

In the U.S. State Department, it was stated that access to the Internet must be preserved in Russia so that residents can obtain independent information.

Since the war began, Russian authorities have intensified blocking various resources. Read how to bypass the restrictions in our piece:

Follow ForkLog’s Bitcoin news on our Telegram — cryptocurrency news, prices and analytics.