Putin Orders Private Data Centers to Set Aside 10% of Capacity to Support IT Infrastructure

By Reuters Nov. 2, 2026 Kremlin.ru Russian owners of non-state data centers will be required to reserve 10% of their capacity to help keep Russia's IT infrastructure running, according to a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin on Monday. This mechanism would allow Russian authorities to quickly access available data center capacity if needed. Russian data centers have become targets of Ukrainian drone attacks in recent weeks, with facilities operated by technology companies Yandex and Sberbank struck in October. Putin instructed the Digital Development Ministry to conduct an inventory of available capacity and floor space at privately owned data centers across Russia. A special government commission, to be established under the decree, will be empowered to order the release of the reserved capacity, with operators required to provide access within 24 hours of such a decision. The decree also allows for the temporary use of data centers located abroad, subject to approval by the FSB security service. Read more about: Technology , Business , Ukraine war , Putin Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Putin Urges Businesses to Back Russian Innovation as State Funding Shrinks Declining state funding and falling patent applications are hampering the Kremlin’s push for technological self-sufficiency. 3 Min read Fund Linked to Putin’s Daughter Invests in Tech Firm as Kremlin Targets Foreign Platforms Katerina Tikhonova's fund invested in a company whose communications software is touted as a Russian substitute for Microsoft Teams and Zoom. 2 Min read Putin Says Russia Should ‘Strangle’ Foreign Tech Companies “I say this without hesitation,” the president told a group of business leaders. “We must respond in kind, mirror their actions.” 2 Min read Putin Warns Business Leaders of ‘Slow and Difficult’ Ukraine Ceasefire Talks – Report One source described Putin’s demeanor as “positive but objective,” lacking “unbridled optimism” about a quick ceasefire in Ukraine. 2 Min read