Russian mobile internet could become the most expensive in the world. This will happen if a fee for foreign (international) traffic is introduced. Currently, the anti‑record belongs to Zimbabwe.
Russia has started mass fines for website owners. Roskomnadzor launched a bot that automatically scans sites in .RU, .РФ and .SU zones looking for violations in personal data processing. Fines reach up to 15 million rubles (≈ $160,000). Even posting employee photos in the “About Us” section without their consent can result in a fine.
From September 1, 2026, Russian domains can only be purchased or renewed through a verified account on Gosuslugi (State Services). This is impossible without a Russian phone number. And to get a Russian SIM card, you now need temporary registration, biometric data, and a SNILS (pension insurance number). In other words, personal presence is required.
Author: Yautseyeva Natallia
"With 11 years in growth and SEO, having worked with top agencies and accelerators, I am now based in Shanghai. I build a bridge between traditional SEO and emerging tech. I consult founders on how to secure their traffic as users shift to ChatGPT."