Roskomnadzor announced exercises in case Russia disconnects from the Internet

On Friday, December 6, Dagestan operator Ellko warned users about problems with access to WhatsApp and other foreign resources, which they explained as “exercises carried out by Roskomnadzor to test scenarios for disabling access to the foreign segment of the Internet.” The company suggested that access to the sites would be restored at 16:00 Moscow time on December 7.

The RKN press service, commenting on Elko’s message, clarified that during the exercises, which are carried out jointly with operators, “the effectiveness of replacement key infrastructure in case of deliberate disconnection from outside the Russian segment of the Internet.”

Additionally, exercise participants identify information systems whose operation depends on the ability to interact with “services, libraries and other resources located in foreign communication networks.” The exercises are designed to test the readiness of Russian infrastructure to ensure the availability of key services “in case of deliberate external influence,” the RKN said.

In mid-November, Roskomnadzor’s plans to conduct exercises to disconnect from the Internet abroad became known. The department then told RB.RU that these exercises are carried out annually and their schedule “is approved by the Ministry of Digital Development in agreement with the FSB and Roskomnadzor.” The RKN assured that the control will not affect the Internet access of ordinary users.