On March 20, 2025, users across Russia reported significant disruptions in internet access, leading to widespread challenges in reaching numerous well-known online services. From Discord and Twitch to Figma and various online games—this outage appears to have affected a broad spectrum of users relying on both popular and essential platforms.
The situation unfolded in the morning as complaints escalated, prompting reports from Downdetector.su, which indicated that these issues were widespread. According to Downdetector, services such as League of Legends, Genshin Impact, and Roblox were among those impacted, showcasing just how significant the disruption was.
Experts attribute this major disruption to the actions taken by Roskomnadzor against Cloudflare services, as the Russian authorities began blocking these critical platforms. A statement from Roskomnadzor noted, "The inoperability of some Russian services is associated with the use of foreign server infrastructure where failures are being fixed." This reflects a broader effort by the Russian government to bolster technological sovereignty by encouraging reliance on domestic providers.
The fallout from this decision was swift, affecting a diverse range of services, including those that were, until recently, entirely legal within Russia. The Tech Talk Telegram channel provided some insight, claiming that Roskomnadzor had effectively "touched" Cloudflare across the eastern part of the country—from the Ural Mountains extending to Primorye. The outcome was dire; users quickly discovered that a significant portion of the internet was rendered inaccessible as many sites were reliant on Cloudflare for protection against DDoS attacks.
This cybersecurity measure, while designed to protect sites from external threats, ultimately backfired, leading to increased frustration among users across Russia. The implications of the disruption extended beyond casual browsing, affecting essential services, such as "Gosuslugi"—a governmental service website, and even VPN services. Users shared their discontent on various platforms, revealing the extent to which this interruption impacted their daily routines.
Reports indicate that the issue is not confined to a single service provider. Major Russian telecom operators including Rostelecom, MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, T-2, Yota, and MGTS have all been implicated, with users of these carriers also reporting similar problems. This widespread nature of the disruption suggests that the problems are systemic rather than isolated to specific providers.
Some experts voiced concerns about the long-term ramifications of such a drastic move. A technical expert warned that if Cloudflare were entirely blocked, it could lead to a slowdown for approximately 20% of all websites operating in the country. This further underscores the fragile nature of Russia's internet infrastructure, particularly against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between governmental regulations and consumer accessibility.
To address these challenges, Roskomnadzor has advised Russian organizations and websites to increasingly depend on domestic hosting providers. According to their recent announcements, planned inspections will take place in the following month to evaluate the extent to which domestic telecom operators and digital services are reliant on foreign infrastructure. These inspections are part of ongoing efforts to develop strategies that would bolster the integrity and security of Russia’s telecommunications systems.
The implications of this disruption serve both as a warning and a forthright commentary on the evolving landscape of internet governance in Russia. With the government reinforcing its emphasis on cultivating local infrastructure, users may need to adapt to a new digital reality where foreign service usage remains fraught with complications.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how consumers will cope with the fallout from these actions. The already complex interplay between technology, regulation, and everyday life highlights the challenges that lie ahead amid a rapidly changing digital landscape. As reliance on foreign services becomes increasingly risky, there may be a significant pivot towards domestic alternatives, reshaping how Russians access and utilize online resources.
