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In order to test how the country would fare against "foreign aggression to disconnect the country from the rest of the internet," Russia will soon undergo an experiment that temporarily separates it from the global internet and isolates all information to Runet, the country’s own internet space. The trial involves the re-routing of all Russian internet traffic by domestic firms to exchange points approved by telecom watchdog Roskomnazor, ensuring traffic stays between Russian users and is not "re-routed uselessly through servers abroad, where it could be intercepted." Critics fear Russia's actual intention is the creation of a "Great Firewall" for cracking down on freedom of information.
The Russian government has been working on this project for years. In 2017, Russian officials said they plan to route 95 percent of all internet traffic locally by 2020. Authorities have even built a local backup of the Domain Name System (DNS), which they first tested in 2014, and again in 2018, and which will now be a major component of the Runet when ISPs plan to disconnect the country from the rest of the world. Russia's response comes as NATO countries announced several times that they were mulling a stronger response to cyber attacks, of which Russia is constantly accused of carrying out.
The Russian government has been working on this project for years. In 2017, Russian officials said they plan to route 95 percent of all internet traffic locally by 2020. Authorities have even built a local backup of the Domain Name System (DNS), which they first tested in 2014, and again in 2018, and which will now be a major component of the Runet when ISPs plan to disconnect the country from the rest of the world. Russia's response comes as NATO countries announced several times that they were mulling a stronger response to cyber attacks, of which Russia is constantly accused of carrying out.