Source URL: https://blog.cloudflare.com/russian-internet-users-are-unable-to-access-the-open-internet/
Source: The Cloudflare Blog
Title: Russian Internet users are unable to access the open Internet
Feedly Summary: Since June 9, 2025, Internet users located in Russia and connecting to the open Internet have been throttled by Russian Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: The text discusses the throttling of internet services in Russia as implemented by local ISPs, affecting users trying to access websites protected by Cloudflare. This situation exemplifies governmental attempts to restrict internet freedom, aligning with historical efforts in Russia to reduce dependence on foreign technology.
Detailed Description: The article sheds light on the current state of internet accessibility for Russian users in connection with Cloudflare services, detailing the mechanisms of throttling used by Russian ISPs and the resulting impact observed by Cloudflare.
– **Throttling Measures:**
– Russian ISPs are limiting users to load only the first 16 KB of any web asset.
– Cloudflare indicates that the throttling actions are beyond their control, making high-performance access impossible for users in Russia under the current conditions.
– **ISPs Involved:**
– Mention of notable ISPs like Rostelecom, Megafon, Vimpelcom, MTS, and MGTS that have confirmed participation in these disruptive practices.
– **Impact on Connectivity:**
– Increased connectivity errors are being documented, leading to a noticeable reduction in traffic served to Russian users on Cloudflare.
– Different throttling mechanisms are identified, including injected packets that prevent connections and blocking packets that lead to timeouts.
– **Data and Reporting Tools:**
– Cloudflare Radar and Network Error Logging provide insights on the situation, with NEL reports showing a rise in prematurely reset TCP connections.
– Packet loss data from Cloudflare’s internal systems corroborate reports of throttling, reflecting high packet loss around the crucial 16 KB data transmission limit.
– **Advice for Site Operators:**
– Cloudflare advises owners of internet sites targeting Russian users to engage with Russian entities to address the throttling.
– Emphasis is made on the importance of internet freedom and the detrimental effects of such restrictions on individual rights and economic advancement.
This text underscores the critical intersection of internet governance, security concerns, and the broader implications for free and open access to digital resources, particularly under authoritarian regimes. Security and compliance professionals must consider such developments, as they can influence infrastructure security policies and practices for global online operations.