Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Rostelecom Cites Backbone Damage as Service Restored After Multi-Region Internet Outage

Reports of access only to white‑listed sites have prompted questions about traffic filtering under Russia’s sovereign Runet framework.

Overview

  • Rostelecom said a backbone channel in Yaroslavl region was damaged by third parties on November 15, disrupting wired service in Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Ivanovo and Kostroma.
  • The company told RIA Novosti that repairs have been completed and service has been restored in the affected Central Federal District regions.
  • User-complaint trackers Downdetector and Sboy.rf recorded spikes across multiple areas, with differing regional concentrations and indications that more than ten regions experienced problems overall.
  • Digital Report and several outlets described selective access in which only white‑listed sites opened, a pattern they say aligns with sovereign Runet TSPU scenarios, though no public technical confirmation has been presented.
  • Residents and local media reported cable television issues in some areas, and the outage was especially hard in Vladimir region where mobile internet has been shut off since mid‑August.