Ministry approves anti-drone requirements for data centers after creating network protection штаб
Published · Updated
What happened
The Ministry of Digital Development created an industry штаб for protecting communications networks and approved recommendations on protecting data centers from drones. Interfax and Kommersant reported the move after attacks were reported on five data centers linked to Yandex, Sberbank, and VK.
Why it matters
The ministry has shifted from warning to a named protection regime for communications infrastructure. That creates a near-term implementation phase involving procurement, site standards, and possible compliance pressure on major operators and regional authorities.
Russia's Ministry of Digital Development moved from general warnings to implementation between October 21 and 25 by setting up an industry штаб to protect communications networks from what it called external destructive impact and by circulating approved anti-drone requirements for data centers. The move follows reported attacks on five facilities used by Yandex, Sberbank, and VK in several regions. The immediate next step is likely to be procurement and enforcement decisions for priority sites, which could expose gaps in regional readiness and operator compliance.
Watch for
MinTsifry publication of a formal order or annex listing mandatory anti-drone measures for communications facilities by 2026-10-29 Roskomnadzor or MinTsifry notice identifying priority regions or classes of data centers subject to first-stage compliance by 2026-10-29 Yandex, Sberbank, or VK disclosure of new tenders for anti-drone systems or hardened perimeter upgrades at data centers by 2026-10-29 Regional governors in Moscow Oblast, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, or other named host regions announcing co-funding or inspections for protected IT facilities by 2026-10-29