Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development intends to invest nearly 60 billion roubles ($660 million) over the next five years to enhance its Internet censorship system known as Technical Measures to Combat Threats (TSPU).
The primary aim is to improve tools for blocking virtual private networks (VPNs) and restricting access to content deemed illegal or restricted by the Russian government.
The TSPU system utilizes deep packet inspection (DPI) to monitor and block access to services and websites considered harmful by the Russian authorities.
The system can be triggered by various types of traffic, including IP-based, SNI-based (Server Name Indication), and QUIC-based (Quick UDP Internet Connection), resulting in six distinct blocking mechanisms.
Controlled by Roskomnadzor, the government agency responsible for blocking services (such as the Telegram messenger) and websites, TSPU was formalized under a 2019 law mandating Internet service providers to install government-supplied equipment to ensure ‘stability and security of the Internet.
By 2022, over 6,000 devices had been installed across Russia.
The planned upgrades for the TSPU system from 2025 to 2030 include enhancing existing systems and installing new ones at communication nodes to accommodate network expansion and increasing traffic.
The modernization efforts will involve acquiring new hardware and software, enhancing the system’s capabilities with new and updated signatures, and developing the Automated Security System (ASBI).
This upgrade will boost TSPU’s bandwidth to 725.6 Tbps and improve its efficiency in blocking VPNs.
The primary focus of this upgrade is to improve VPN blocking capabilities, as VPNs are frequently used by Russian citizens to circumvent government blocks on websites like YouTube and access independent media.
While Roskomnadzor has already made significant progress in curbing VPN usage, the new funding aims to increase its ability to block 96% of VPNs.
Experts, however, suggest that TSPU may still face challenges in blocking all VPN protocols. Although the system can detect and block common VPN protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, other protocols remain difficult to track.
This suggests an ongoing struggle between VPN developers and government censors, with both sides continually adapting their strategies.
Mazay Banzaev, who operates the popular Amnezia VPN service, expressed confidence that software developers will continue to innovate ways to bypass government restrictions, despite the Russian government’s increased investment in censorship systems.
This $660 million initiative is officially part of a broader government project focused on digital transformation and the development of the data economy.
Other related activities include creating a unified platform to combat fraud and a system to block phishing websites.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the government’s control over Internet content has intensified.
The government has blacklisted opposition media websites and banned foreign social media platforms, presenting these actions as part of a larger information war with the West.
This recent surge in censorship reflects Russia’s increased efforts to manage online narratives and block opposition voices.
The TSPU system has clearly been prioritized in the government’s recent budget, with the new 60 billion rouble allocation significantly exceeding Roskomnadzor’s entire 2023 budget of 32.15 billion roubles ($354 million).
This highlights the importance of expanding Russia’s censorship infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions.
