Russia’s pursuit of a “sovereign internet” - The Global Jigsaw podcast, BBC World Service

Key Concepts

• Runet: The Russian segment of the internet, currently being transformed into a self-contained, state-controlled infrastructure.
• TSPU (Technical Means for Countering Threats): Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) hardware installed by ISPs to monitor, throttle, or block internet traffic.
• Sovereign Internet Bill (2019): Legislation requiring all Russian internet traffic to pass through state-controlled routing points.
• Whitelist: A government-sanctioned list of essential services (banks, retailers) exempted from internet blackouts to prevent economic collapse.
• Zapreshchonka: A Soviet-era term meaning "forbidden products," now applied to banned websites and apps.
• Max: A state-sponsored "super messenger" modeled after China’s WeChat, designed to replace encrypted apps like Telegram with a non-encrypted, state-monitored alternative.

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1. The Scope of Digital Isolation

Russia is experiencing a "digital iron curtain," with widespread internet outages affecting both regional areas and major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.

• Economic Impact: Estimates suggest one hour of full internet outage costs approximately $25 million in lost digital services (e-commerce, delivery).
• Social Disruption: The reliance on digitized public services (taxes, banking, transport) has left citizens paralyzed during outages, forcing a return to analog tools like paper maps and landline telephones.
• The "Kill Switch": Rather than a single button, the state uses a series of levers—blocking domains, throttling apps (WhatsApp, Telegram), and targeting VPN providers—to exert pressure.

2. Military Implications and the Telegram Lifeline

Despite the Kremlin’s desire to move military communications to the state-controlled "Max" app, the reality on the frontlines is different.

• The Encryption Gap: Due to corruption during the 2010s rearmament, the Russian military lacks secure, encrypted radio equipment. Soldiers rely on Telegram for battlefield coordination, including drone warfare and air defense reporting.
• Operational Failure: Blocking Telegram has hindered the military's ability to track incoming Ukrainian drones. Experts note that the Kremlin’s justification—that blocking internet prevents Ukrainian drone guidance—is contradicted by the fact that drones continue to strike targets, potentially using Starlink or other means.
• Internal Pushback: Pro-war bloggers and military figures have openly criticized the blocking of Telegram, as it is the primary platform for crowdfunding essential military supplies (drones, medkits, body armor).

3. Political and Economic Resistance

The crackdown has triggered rare public and elite dissent:

• Public Protests: Despite the risk of arrest, citizens in dozens of cities have attempted to protest the shutdowns. OVD-Info reported at least 25 arrests.
• Elite Disapproval: In an unprecedented move, state-aligned media (e.g., Moskovsky Komsomolets, Nezavisimaya Gazeta) and Kremlin spokespeople (Dmitry Peskov) have criticized the shutdowns, citing the loss of propaganda tools and damage to the economy.
• The "Bonya" Effect: Celebrity blogger Victoria Bonya’s 18-minute video appeal to Putin regarding social issues and internet freedom garnered 30 million views, highlighting the potential for public discontent to reach a breaking point.

4. Strategic Objectives: The "Sovereign Internet"

The Kremlin’s long-term goal is to replicate the Chinese model of a "Great Firewall."

• Economic Control: By onshoring internet infrastructure, the state aims to keep revenue within Russia, create domestic jobs, and ensure total surveillance of political dissent.
• The "Halal" Internet: Similar to Iran’s model, Russia is moving toward a system where the general public is restricted to a state-controlled network, while a "whitelist" of essential services and elite users maintains access to the global internet.
• Technological Reality: Domestic alternatives like "Max" are described as "undercooked" and prone to glitches, offering a significantly poorer user experience compared to global platforms.

5. Synthesis and Conclusion

The Russian government is caught in a tension between its desire for total control and the reality that its economy and military are deeply integrated into the global digital infrastructure. While the state views the internet as a Western defense ploy, the practical necessity of digital connectivity for trade and war has forced the Kremlin to implement a "whitelist" system to prevent total collapse. The recent dip in Putin’s approval ratings, linked directly to these digital restrictions, suggests that the government is finally being forced to weigh its ideological drive for isolation against the tangible, daily frustrations of its citizens and the operational needs of its military.