Moscow, February 21, 2026 – Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law amendments to the country's "On Communications" legislation that require telecommunications operators to suspend services upon a binding requirement from the Federal Security Service (FSB). The measure, published on the official portal of legal information on Friday, February 20, 2026, exempts operators from any liability for resulting network outages or breaches of customer contracts when complying with such FSB directives.
The law, which takes effect 10 days after official publication, stipulates that operators must disconnect communications—including mobile telephony, fixed-line internet, and related data services—in cases defined by normative legal acts issued by the President of the Russian Federation. State news agency TASS reported the signing, noting that the provision aims to ensure security in areas under FSB responsibility and to counter terrorism, as outlined in the bill's explanatory note.
The legislation underwent a rapid legislative process in the State Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament. It passed its first reading on January 27, 2026, and was approved in both the second and third (final) readings on February 17, 2026, with 393 deputies voting in favor and only 13 against. The amendments were then forwarded to the Federation Council, the upper house, for approval before reaching Putin's desk—a step considered largely formal given the Kremlin's control over the legislative agenda.
Key changes from the initial draft include shifting the FSB's authority from issuing non-binding "requests" to enforceable "requirements," removing explicit references to an immediate "security threat" as a prerequisite, and granting the president direct authority to specify the triggering conditions via decree. This broadens the potential scope beyond previous frameworks, such as those limited to active anti-terrorist operations under Russia's counter-terrorism law.
The explanatory note accompanying the bill emphasizes its role in regulating security relations within FSB jurisdictions and bolstering counter-terrorism efforts. Proponents argue the measure enables swift responses to emerging threats, including potential sabotage, espionage, or coordinated attacks that could exploit communications networks. Critics, including independent media outlets like Meduza and Novaya Gazeta Europe, contend that the law grants the FSB sweeping, potentially unchecked powers to target individuals or entire regions without transparent justification, raising concerns over arbitrary application, suppression of dissent, and impacts on freedom of expression.
The legislation applies across Russia and, according to some analyses, extends to territories under Russian control, including occupied areas of Ukraine. It builds on Russia's evolving digital control framework, which already includes tools like the Sovereign Internet Law (signed in 2019) for isolated "Runet" operation during global disconnections, mandatory data localization, and requirements for telecom firms to install SORM (System for Operative Investigative Activities) surveillance equipment.
Telecom operators, including major providers like MTS, MegaFon, Beeline, and Tele2, are now legally protected from subscriber lawsuits or penalties for service interruptions caused by FSB compliance. This immunity addresses long-standing industry concerns about contractual liabilities during enforced blackouts.
The move comes amid heightened domestic and international scrutiny of Russia's information space controls. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, authorities have intensified restrictions, including blocks on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and partial limitations on Telegram and WhatsApp. Recent reports indicate further tightening, with complete blocks on certain messengers in early 2026. Human rights groups and digital rights advocates, such as the Committee to Protect Journalists, have warned that expanded FSB powers could facilitate targeted silencing of critics, journalists, activists, or opposition figures, particularly ahead of sensitive political events or during periods of unrest.
No immediate nationwide or regional shutdowns have been reported following the law's enactment, but observers note that the framework allows for both individual-targeted disconnections and broader suspensions if specified in future presidential regulations. The Kremlin has not issued detailed public commentary on implementation timelines or specific scenarios, though state-aligned sources frame the law as a necessary enhancement to national security architecture.
The development aligns with broader trends in Russia's governance of digital infrastructure, where executive and security agencies increasingly dominate oversight of communications. As the law enters force in early March 2026, its practical application—and any forthcoming presidential decrees—will likely shape debates on privacy, connectivity, and state power in the digital age.
