ANALYSIS The Impact and Limits of Sanctions on Russia’s Telecoms Industry

– The transition to domestic and Chinese equipment plays into the hands of the Kremlin in its further development of the “sovereign Runet,” which ultimately contributes to the fragmentation of the global internet. [...] These sanctions un- digitalized its economy and public administration in intentionally hit ordinary Russian citizens, contribute the last decade – tasks the government made part of to the further construction of a “sovereign Runet,” and, the country’s domestic policy.*1 The role of telecom- as a result, advance the “Balkanization” of the global munications for Russia in the context of its war of I. [...] At the same time, this DGAP Analysis provides the EU with information on the potential risks and On the day of the invasion, the administration of US side effects of the West’s chosen sanctions policy President Joe Biden imposed sanctions aimed at de- in the field of telecommunications. [...] Al- and Israeli companies nor the likelihood of the full- so in 2015, the company, through one of its partners fledged development of communication networks in Russia, sought to obtain the status of a producer based on the equipment of these manufacturers can of equipment of domestic origin from the Ministry of be realistically assessed at this time. [...] The State Com- mission on Radio Frequencies (SCRF) extended them With the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, the first with one important condition: as of January 2023, round of sanctions, and the departure of large West- they were obligated to use only domestic equipment ern vendors, Russian companies have high hopes in the further deployment of networks of this gener- for the next round of the go.