Russian data centers ordered to save 10% of capacity for state use following new Putin orders

A data center is a facility that houses computer systems and the supporting equipment needed to run digital services. It provides places to store information, process requests, and connect systems to networks. The article focuses on privately operated facilities in Russia.

Their computing capacity means the resources available for digital work. This includes processing power, memory, data storage, network connections, and the physical space that houses the equipment. The article specifically refers to computing resources, floor space, and overall facility capacity.

These resources support government information systems, cloud platforms, databases, and other online operations. The Ministry of Digital Development will assess available floor space and computing resources across Russian facilities. It will also establish standards intended to keep services reliable and uninterrupted.

Private data centers in Russia must set aside 10% of their capacity for government use. The reserved share is computing capacity, not ownership of the facilities. Companies keep control of their data centers and continue operating their businesses.

The percentage applies proportionally. If a facility had 100 units of available capacity, 10 units would be reserved and 90 units would remain outside that reserved share. The article does not provide a national total or the capacity of any individual facility, so no larger numerical amount can be calculated.

Operators may still use the reserved resources during ordinary business operations. However, they must provide them when the state requests access for designated Russian information services. The new rule gives government systems a guaranteed pool of infrastructure while allowing private companies to retain ownership.

Russian private data-center operators must provide reserved computing resources within 24 hours after a government request. This deadline applies when the state activates capacity for designated information services. It creates a rapid response arrangement between private facilities and government systems.

A special government subcommission decides when the state can demand access. The facilities may use the reserved resources during normal operations, but they must be ready to release or provide them when an authorized request arrives. The article does not describe the technical handover process.

The 24-hour rule matters because it gives Russian authorities access to extra infrastructure on short notice. Companies must plan around that obligation even though they continue running commercial services. The decree also provides for payment, with a government body establishing a ceiling for applicable charges.

When the state activates the reserved capacity, private operators must provide the requested computing resources to designated Russian information services. They do not surrender ownership of their facilities. Instead, they continue operating their businesses under a system that gives authorities temporary access to part of their capacity.

The reserved resources can be used by companies during ordinary business operations before a request arrives. Once the authorized request is made, operators must provide the resources within 24 hours. The government body responsible for the arrangement will establish a ceiling on charges, and companies will receive payment for access.

Government digital services gain additional infrastructure when their normal resources are insufficient. Private businesses face a new legal duty and less freedom to use all capacity whenever they choose. The arrangement is intended to expand state access without an outright transfer of data-center ownership.

A special government subcommission will determine when Russian authorities can demand access to reserved private data-center resources. Its decisions govern when facilities must provide capacity for designated Russian information services. The article does not name the subcommission’s individual members.

The Ministry of Digital Development has a broader oversight role. It is responsible for assessing available floor space and computing resources across domestic data centers. The ministry must also establish operational standards designed to support reliable and uninterrupted services.

This divides responsibility between two bodies. The subcommission administers access decisions, while the ministry evaluates national capacity and sets operating standards. Officials must also establish procedures for allocation decisions and create the subcommission responsible for handling access requests. Together, these arrangements give the government a formal system for managing private infrastructure.

The decree does not completely ban Russian information services from using foreign data-center resources. They may operate abroad temporarily when such an arrangement is permitted. This creates an exception to the broader focus on domestic computing capacity.

Foreign use requires approval from the Federal Security Service, commonly known as the FSB. The security agency therefore has authority over exceptions involving computing resources outside Russia. The article does not specify how long a temporary arrangement may last or list technical approval criteria.

The provision shows that domestic capacity is preferred but not the only possible option. Russian services can still rely on foreign infrastructure when security officials approve it. Separately, Russia has explored possible data-infrastructure cooperation with American interests, including proposals involving electricity from Russian nuclear facilities, although the article presents those discussions as separate from the decree.

Data centers support cloud platforms and online services by housing the computing resources that process requests, store information, run databases, and connect users to digital systems. The article identifies cloud platforms, stored information, database services, and other online operations as activities affected by data-center disruptions.

They require large amounts of equipment because these functions depend on processing power, storage, networking, and physical space. They require reliable electricity because the equipment must keep operating for services to remain available. The article says the Ministry of Digital Development will establish standards for reliable and uninterrupted services.

The importance of this infrastructure became clear after Ukrainian strikes hit three Yandex data centers in Russia in October 2026. The attacks disrupted cloud platforms, stored information, database services, and other online operations. This pressure helps explain the government’s effort to secure additional domestic capacity for state systems.