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Russia plans to allocate nearly 60 billion rubles over three years to its internet filtering and blocking system, according to a draft budget appendix reviewed by Forbes Russia. The earlier plan set aside 32 billion rubles for the same period; officials have not explained the increase.
Russia plans to spend nearly 60 billion rubles over the next three years on its system for filtering and blocking internet resources, according to a draft budget appendix reviewed by Forbes Russia. The proposed allocation would fund the Chief Radio Frequency Center, a body under Roskomnadzor that operates the system, and is almost twice the 32 billion rubles planned for the same period two years ago.
The funding is designated for the Chief Radio Frequency Center (GRChTs), which operates Russia’s automated system for securing the Russian segment of the internet, known as ASBI. The draft budget appendix sets out the planned spending, but the reporting does not specify how much would be spent in each year or detail the projects the money would cover.
It is unclear why the planned total has nearly doubled. The press services of the Finance Ministry and Digital Development Ministry did not respond to Forbes Russia’s requests for comment. A source close to the Digital Development Ministry told the magazine that explanations “haven’t been written into the bill yet” and should be expected by the end of the year.
Experts cited by Meduza point to rising equipment costs and increasing internet traffic as possible factors. Filtering larger volumes requires more processing power, memory and storage, while sanctions have made imported components harder for Russia to obtain. These are explanations offered by experts; the draft budget materials described in the report do not state the government’s reason for the increase.
The Cost of Expanding Traffic Controls
The proposed increase would provide more public funding for infrastructure used to filter, slow and block internet traffic. The system’s reach matters to telecom operators as well as internet users: under Russia’s “sovereign Runet” law, operators must install traffic-filtering equipment known as TSPU on their networks.
Higher spending could reflect the cost of expanding or maintaining that equipment as traffic grows, but the available reporting does not show which uses will receive the funding. The figure also does not establish how much traffic will be filtered or which services may be affected. Those details would be needed to assess the direct consequences for users and operators.
The stated obstacles to sourcing components add another dimension. If sanctions and higher prices raise the cost of processors, memory and storage, maintaining or expanding the system may require more money. That possibility comes from expert comments, not a published government explanation of the proposed budget.
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How Russia’s Filtering System Operates
ASBI is operated by the GRChTs, which sits under Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal media regulator. The “sovereign Runet” law requires telecom operators to install TSPU equipment on their networks. According to the source report, the equipment enables Roskomnadzor to filter, slow or block internet traffic.
The spending comparison is between plans for equivalent three-year periods: the earlier plan called for 32 billion rubles, while the new draft points to nearly 60 billion. The source does not give a breakdown of the earlier or proposed allocations, so it is not possible to identify which costs account for the difference.
Geographic coverage may also be a factor in future equipment needs. Alexey Amelkin, president of the Association of Telecom Operators Makatel, said TSPU equipment had not yet been installed on operator networks in the occupied territories of Ukraine. The report does not say whether the proposed funding is intended to cover installation there.
““Haven’t been written into the bill yet — they should be expected by the end of the year.””
— A source close to Russia’s Digital Development Ministry, speaking to Forbes Russia
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Reasons for the Increase Remain Unstated
The draft materials cited in the report do not explain why planned spending rose from 32 billion to nearly 60 billion rubles, identify the intended purchases or provide an annual breakdown. The Finance Ministry and Digital Development Ministry had not responded to Forbes Russia by the time of its report.
Equipment prices, growing traffic, sanctions and possible AI-related upgrades were raised as potential cost drivers. The report does not confirm the relative contribution of any of these factors, whether AI is being adopted, or whether the proposed amount will be approved unchanged. It also does not clarify whether the money would fund installation in the occupied territories of Ukraine.
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Budget Explanations Expected Later
The source close to the Digital Development Ministry said the explanation for the increase should be expected by the end of 2026. The draft budget remains the immediate basis for the reported figure; the material provided does not establish whether lawmakers have approved it or when a final allocation would take effect.
Further details from the ministries or a published budget breakdown could clarify how the money is divided among equipment, operations and any expansion of network coverage. Until then, the planned total is known, while its specific purpose and the government’s reasons for the increase remain unsettled.
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Key Questions
How much does Russia plan to spend?
The draft budget appendix points to nearly 60 billion rubles over three years for the internet filtering and blocking system.
How does that compare with the earlier plan?
Two years earlier, the plan called for 32 billion rubles over the same period. The reported draft does not explain the increase.
What is the funding intended to support?
The money would go to the Chief Radio Frequency Center, which operates ASBI. The report does not provide a detailed spending breakdown.
Why is the proposed spending higher?
No official reason had been published in the reporting. Experts pointed to rising equipment prices, growing traffic and difficulties obtaining imported components, but these remain possible explanations.
Source: rss
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