Structure of Internet backbone networks in Russia 
Automatic translate
Russia’s internet backbone is an intricate system that underpins the country’s digital infrastructure. These networks, consisting of a huge number of interconnected cables, routers and data centers, serve as the backbone of the country’s Internet connection, providing uninterrupted data transmission and access to a wide range of online services and resources.
Autonomous systems and networking
Autonomous systems (AS) are fundamental elements of the Internet backbone. In Russia, the market is dominated by a relatively small number of ASes, the five largest of which account for a significant portion of the country’s Internet traffic. These include the state-owned Rostelecom, private companies MTS and MegaFon, as well as state operators TransTeleCom and ER-Telecom. Each of these AS has its own role and history, influencing the overall structure of the Russian Internet.
Rostelecom , the largest long-distance operator in the country, owns an extensive fiber-optic network stretching over 500,000 kilometers. It serves as the main backbone provider, connecting major cities and providing international communications. MTS and MegaFon, Russia’s two leading mobile operators, also have extensive backbone networks and provide Internet services to a wide subscriber base.
The TransTeleCom company, originally created to meet the telecommunications needs of the Russian railway system, has grown into a large backbone Internet provider providing transit and international communication services. ER-Telecom, another major player, specializes in providing broadband Internet access in regional markets, especially in those regions where the presence of other providers is limited.
The interconnection between these ASs is provided through Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). The largest IXP in Russia is MSK-IX in Moscow, which serves as the most important hub for traffic exchange within the country. Other well-known IXPs include SPB-IX in St. Petersburg and EMX in Novosibirsk. These exchange points allow autonomous systems to efficiently route traffic between their networks, reducing latency and improving the overall performance of the Russian Internet.
International connectivity and resiliency
The Russian Internet backbone is different in that it focuses on domestic connections and has a limited number of international connections. The country has many entry and exit points for Internet traffic, known as Internet Exchange Points of Presence (IX-PoPs). The main IX-PoPs are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Khabarovsk, providing connectivity to neighboring countries and international submarine cable systems. However, the Russian government deliberately limits the number of international connections, citing security concerns and a desire to maintain control over data flows.
To ensure fault tolerance, the Russian Internet backbone uses a mesh topology with redundant paths and various routing options. This design reduces the impact of single points of failure and improves the network’s ability to withstand failures. The country’s vast geography and harsh climate also influenced the network design, with a focus on reliability and redundancy to overcome physical challenges.
State influence and control
The Russian state has a significant level of control over the Internet backbone infrastructure. This is reflected in the presence of state-owned and state-controlled companies such as Rostelecom and TransTeleCom, which play a key role in the backbone network. The government also implements policies and regulations that shape the market, including the “Sovereign Internet” law passed in 2019. This law requires the use of centralized equipment for routing and filtering traffic, which gives the state greater control over data flows and the ability to isolate the Russian segment of the Internet if necessary.
Government influence also extends to the distribution of Internet resources, such as IP addresses and autonomous system numbers. The management of these resources is the responsibility of the Russian Internet Registration Center (RCRI), operating under the control of the state Coordination Center TLD RU (top-level domain.RU). Such centralized control over Internet resources gives the state additional leverage in shaping the structure and management of the backbone network.
Impact on content delivery and online services
The structure of Russian Internet backbone networks affects the delivery of content and the operation of online services. A limited number of international connections may lead to increased traffic latency outside of Russia, which negatively affects users’ experience with global content and services. To mitigate this problem, content delivery networks (CDNs) have established their presence in Russia, caching content locally and increasing delivery speeds. The world’s largest CDNs, such as Akamai and Cloudflare, have entered into partnerships with Russian backbone providers to optimize content delivery in the country.
The dominance of a few large standalone systems is also impacting the hosting and cloud services market. These companies often offer data center and cloud infrastructure services, using their extensive backbone networks to provide reliable connectivity for businesses and organizations. This concentration of market power may affect the prices and availability of hosting services, especially for smaller providers.
Security and supervision
The centralized nature of Russia’s Internet backbone has raised concerns among private companies about security and traffic surveillance. The presence of state-controlled organizations and the implementation of the “sovereign internet” law have provided the Russian government with ample opportunities to monitor and control data flows. Using centralized equipment to route and filter traffic allows for deep packet inspection and large-scale surveillance. This has implications for privacy and freedom of expression, especially in light of Russia’s tight internet regulations and censorship policies.
To improve the security and protection of critical infrastructure, the Russian government also created the National Coordination Center for Computer Incident Response (NCCIR). This center is responsible for coordinating responses to cyber incidents and vulnerabilities affecting the country’s digital infrastructure, including the Internet backbone. Although the NCRSC’s role is primarily aimed at ensuring security, there are concerns that it could be used for surveillance and control, especially given the broad powers granted to Russian security forces.
Impact on innovation and digital economy
The structure and control of Russia’s Internet backbone influences the country’s digital economy and innovation ecosystem. Limited international connectivity and the centralized nature of the network can create barriers to the adoption of new technologies and services. Startups and small businesses may find it difficult to expand into global markets and use cloud services that are typically used in other regions. The dominance of a few large autonomous systems can also hamper competition and innovation, especially in the absence of a strong and diverse ISP market.
However, the Russian government recognizes the importance of a dynamic digital economy and is initiating various programs to support innovation. Special economic zones, such as the Skolkovo Innovation Center, provide tax incentives and support for technology startups. The government is also investing in developing domestic cloud computing infrastructure and data centers in an effort to reduce dependence on foreign providers and keep data within Russia.
Technical aspects
Backbone Internet networks in Russia consist mainly of high-capacity fiber-optic cables, which are stretched throughout the country. These cables, often buried underground or along utility poles, connect large population centers, industrial hubs, and critical infrastructure, providing reliable, high-speed Internet access to residential and commercial users.
At the heart of these networks are large exchange points (IXPs), which act as central hubs where Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) communicate and exchange traffic. Strategically located in cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk, these IXPs play a critical role in optimizing network performance, reducing latency and improving overall data efficiency.
Complementing the fiber optic backbone is a network of data centers that serve as physical repositories for the enormous volumes of data flowing through Russia’s Internet infrastructure. Equipped with state-of-the-art computing and storage capabilities, these data centers reliably and securely host websites, applications and cloud services to meet the diverse needs of both individual and enterprise users.
Future events and issues
In the future, Russian Internet backbone networks face a number of problems and potential opportunities for development. One of the key areas is increasing international connectivity, especially as demand for global content and services grows. Although the Russian government has historically limited international connectivity, a move to selectively expand the network to meet business and user needs is now possible. This could include the creation of additional IX-PoPs and partnerships with foreign backbone providers, while maintaining control over data flows.
Another important aspect is the development of network technologies and the adoption of new standards such as IPv6 and software-defined networks (SDN). Russia has made progress in deploying IPv6, and major autonomous systems offer IPv6 connectivity alongside IPv4. However, the transition to IPv6 is still ongoing, and the introduction of new networking paradigms such as SDN can bring both opportunities and challenges in terms of network management and security.
Management and supervision of backbone Internet networks in Russia are assigned primarily to the regulatory body in the field of telecommunications - the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technologies and Mass Communications (Roskomnadzor). The agency’s responsibilities include ensuring telecom operators comply with relevant laws and regulations, as well as monitoring the overall performance and security of the country’s digital infrastructure.
In recent years, the Russian government has paid great attention to the development and modernization of backbone Internet networks, recognizing their strategic importance for ensuring economic growth, social development and national security of the country. Significant investments were made to expand and modernize the fiber network, build new data centers and introduce advanced network management and security technologies.
The result of these efforts was the creation of a more sustainable and efficient backbone Internet infrastructure capable of meeting the growing demand for high-speed, reliable and secure Internet access throughout the Russian Federation. As the country continues to enter the digital age, the importance of backbone networks will only increase, serving as the basis for the country’s digital transformation and development of its technological capabilities.
Internet backbone networks in Russia are important not only for providing internal communications, but also play an important role in the country’s international digital infrastructure. Russia’s strategic geographic location, spanning Europe and Asia, makes it a transit point for intercontinental data traffic, and its backbone networks serve as a link between East and West.
One of the key components of Russia’s international Internet connectivity is the Trans-Siberian Fiber Optic Line (TSOL), a vast network of high-performance fiber-optic cables stretching across the country from the western border to the Pacific coast. This extensive network, comprising the world’s longest continuous system of fiber optic cables, serves as an international data corridor, facilitating the exchange of information between Europe and Asia.
In addition to TSFL, Russia is also investing heavily in the development of submarine cable systems that connect its coastal regions to international markets. These submarine fiber optic cables, connecting Russia with countries such as Japan, China and the United States, have significantly expanded the country’s global connections and reduced its dependence on transit through neighboring states.
Russia is actively participating in the development of international Internet governance mechanisms, seeking to form global digital standards in accordance with its national interests. This participation includes participation in various multilateral organizations and initiatives, such as the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where Russia has advocated for a more equitable and sovereign-centric approach to Internet governance.