Russia tests independent internet by disconnecting global internet

Moscow – The Russian newspaper, RBC Daily, reported that Russia has successfully cut off the country’s internet connection to the global internet and successfully tested an independent Russian internet. The test, which took place between June 15 and July 15, could be used by Russia in cyber warfare, the Russian daily claimed. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a few years ago the creation of an independent Russian internet.

Russia’s leading IT companies, as well as internet service providers, participated in the test. The purpose of the exercise was to examine the possibility of an independent Russian internet operating in the face of possible attacks, disruptions and other threats from abroad. The official findings have not yet been released. However, the exercise has been successful, according to the preliminary criteria. A successful test has been conducted to disconnect the Russian part of the global internet, reported the RBC Daily.

Russian government spokesman Dmitry Peskov also confirmed the exercise. The exercise was held at the right time, and Russia is ready to deal with any situation, Peskov said. The Russian agency Roskomnadzor claims that the activities and tests were carried out to check the security and quality of Russian internet infrastructure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin took the initiative to approve the Sovereign Russian Internet Law in 2019. The ambitious plan was based on using the internet and social media by the United States and Europe against the Russian regime. It was said under the law that Russia will launch an independent internet by 2022. Russia also conducted some preliminary tests in 2020 as well as earlier this year. However, the exercise, which took place between June 15 and July 15, is said to be the largest and most comprehensive test of the independent Russian internet.

In the last few years, Russia has been consistently targeted on the issue of cyberattacks by European countries and the United States. Western nations have accused Russia of supporting and harbouring hackers who carry out cyberattacks. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom threatened to launch cyberattacks on Russia in retaliation. There are also claims that these countries have taken such actions.

Against this backdrop, the new exercise shows that Russia has taken a big step towards an independent internet. Even if there are future cyberattacks on Russia, this practice is believed to have given a glimpse of how Russia can continue to do business by isolating itself from the global internet system.