.ru domains face mass cancellations under new Russian rules

Russia’s .ru country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) is poised for significant disruption as new government-mandated identity verification requirements take effect in the coming weeks. Starting September 1, all registrants of .ru domains—both new and existing—must prove their identity through the Russian government’s Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA), also known as Gosuslugi. Failure to comply will result in domain cancellations. The policy reflects broader efforts to tighten control over Russia’s digital infrastructure, with implications for domestic and international registrants alike.

What the new rules entail

The requirements, signed into law by President Vladimir Putin in December 2025, mandate that domain registrations in .ru and other Russian-managed TLDs, such as .рф and .su, can only proceed after registrants complete identification via ESIA. This system, which facilitates access to government services, requires users to submit government-issued documentation, such as a passport or social security number. While Russian citizens can typically obtain ESIA credentials with relative ease, foreign residents face a more cumbersome process, and non-residents may find it impossible to comply.

In addition to the identity verification mandate, the rules restrict registrar accreditation to Russian-registered companies approved by government-selected non-profit entities. This provision, which took effect in March 2026, has already narrowed the field of eligible registrars. Some international providers, including Com Laude, are exploring workarounds, such as local presence services, to maintain access to the .ru market. However, the feasibility of such solutions remains uncertain under the new framework.

Potential impact on registrations

The .ru domain currently hosts over 6.1 million registered names, with an additional 805,000 in .рф and 110,000 in .su. Historical precedent suggests the new rules could trigger a sharp decline in registrations. When China’s CNNIC introduced similar identity verification requirements in 2010, the .cn ccTLD lost millions of domains. While most Russian citizens already possess ESIA accounts, foreign registrants—particularly those outside Russia—may be unwilling or unable to comply with the new requirements. This could lead to a wave of cancellations or forced transfers, particularly among businesses and individuals targeting Russian audiences from abroad.

Andrey Vorobyov, director of the Coordination Center for TLD RU, stated in a recent interview that the measures aim to curb fraud and abuse in Russia-focused domains. However, the policy’s broader effect may be to further insulate the Russian internet from global participation, aligning with the government’s long-term strategy of digital sovereignty.

What to watch

The September 1 deadline marks the beginning of a critical period for .ru registrants. Observers will be monitoring several key developments:

• Registration trends: Whether .ru experiences a decline comparable to China’s .cn after its 2010 policy change, or if the impact is mitigated by high domestic compliance.
• Registrar adaptations: How international providers respond, including the viability of local presence services or other workarounds.
• Foreign registrant behavior: Whether non-Russian entities abandon .ru domains or seek alternative TLDs to maintain a presence in the Russian market.
• Policy enforcement: The rigor with which the Russian government applies the new rules, particularly for high-profile or politically sensitive domains.

The changes underscore the growing fragmentation of the global domain name system, as national policies increasingly shape the accessibility and governance of ccTLDs. For businesses and individuals reliant on .ru domains, the coming months will require careful navigation of the new regulatory landscape.