
Runet, the Russian segment of the internet, has a fascinating history that spans over two decades. It was first introduced in 1990, with the first Russian domain name, .su, being registered in 1993.
In the early days, Runet was largely isolated from the global internet due to limited connectivity and censorship. The first email was sent in 1991, and it was a significant milestone for the Russian internet community.
The Russian government played a crucial role in the development of Runet, and in 1994, they launched the first Russian internet service provider, RASCOM. This marked the beginning of a new era for Runet, with increased connectivity and access to global resources.
By the mid-1990s, Runet had started to flourish, with the number of internet users growing rapidly. The first Russian online communities emerged, and online forums became a popular platform for discussion and information sharing.
History of Runet
The Runet, or Russian-language Internet, has a fascinating history that spans over two decades. It all began in 1994, when the .ru domain was created, marking the foundation of the Runet.
The early years of the Runet were marked by innovation and growth, with the launch of online services like online book depositories and search engines. In 1996, the Rambler.ru domain was registered, and the first Russian search engine was posted on the Internet.
Some notable milestones of the Runet's early years include:
- 1996: The Crib chat was launched, allowing users to communicate with each other in thematic "rooms".
- 1996: The Music.ru website was launched, catering to music lovers.
- 1996: The Auto.ru website was launched, a hub for car enthusiasts.
- 1996: The Evening Internet project was launched, considered one of the first popular Russian-language blogs.
The Runet continued to evolve in the late 1990s, with the launch of new services like email and virtual money. In 1998, the postal service Mail.ru was launched, marking a significant milestone in the Runet's development.
1994
1994 was a pivotal year for the Runet's development. The RU domain appeared, marking a significant milestone in the growth of the Russian internet.
In 1994, the infrastructure of the Runet was actively formed, laying the foundation for future growth. This was a crucial period for the establishment of the Runet.
One of the pioneers of the Runet was Maxim Moshkov, who launched the first online book depository.
1996
1996 was a pivotal year for the early Runet. It saw the registration of the Rambler.ru domain in September.
The first Russian search engine was launched on October 8, 1996, by developer Dmitry Kryukov on his birthday. This was a significant milestone in the development of the Russian-language internet.
The Crib chat was another popular platform that allowed users to communicate with each other in various thematic "rooms."
Music fans gathered on the Music.ru website, while car enthusiasts congregated on the Auto.ru. These specialized platforms helped to create a sense of community among users.
Anton Nosik's Evening Internet was launched on December 24, 1996, and is considered one of the first popular Russian-language blogs. This project marked the beginning of online publishing in Russia.
The same year also saw the launch of popular sites like Zhurnal.ru, Damn Cakes, and the first Sputnik advertising network.
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1997
1997 was a pivotal year for the Russian internet, marked by the emergence of key players like Yandex and Aport.
Ninety-seventh is the year Yandex and Aport appeared, and it's easy to see why this was a big deal - these companies would go on to shape the Russian internet landscape.
The EJE community started to take shape in 1997, bringing together internet figures who would become influential in the years to come.
This was also the year the first Russian Internet forum was established, providing a platform for people to discuss and share ideas about the internet.
Rambler's catalog and rating system, as well as its site, appeared in 1997, marking a significant milestone for the Russian internet.
Google.com made its debut in 1997, and it's no surprise that it quickly became a go-to destination for internet users.
1998
In 1998, the postal service Mail.ru was launched, marking a significant milestone in the history of Runet.
This year saw the rise of online shopping, with the launch of the well-known Ozone online store.
The first transaction was made in the Webmoney payment system, paving the way for e-commerce in Russia.
The launch of Mail.ru's postal service was a major event for Runet, bringing email and virtual money to the forefront of the internet scene.
The Ozone online store quickly became a household name, showcasing the growing demand for online shopping in Russia.
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1999
In 1999, the first professional online media "Газета.ру" was opened, marking a significant milestone in the development of Runet.
This was a year of rapid growth and innovation, with the launch of the largest statistics server Spylog.
The Newspaper team also opened a news project Лента.ру, further expanding the online media landscape.
After the successful launch and sale of the Yukos project, the Newspaper team had the resources to invest in new ventures like Лента.ру.
Monthly Archives
The early days of Runet were marked by the establishment of the first Russian-language online community, called "The Zone", in 1993.
This was a significant milestone in the history of Runet, as it provided a platform for users to connect and share information with one another.
The Zone was founded by a group of enthusiasts who saw the potential for the internet to bring people together and facilitate communication.
In 1994, the first Russian-language online forum, called "Demosphere", was launched, offering users a space to discuss various topics and share knowledge.
The popularity of Demosphere grew rapidly, with thousands of users joining the platform within a year of its launch.
Russia's Internet
Russia's Internet, also known as Runet, is a unique entity that includes a set of relationships between various domains within its Russian segment.
The Russian language is the dominant language on the .ru and .su domains, with 89.8% and 88.7% of websites using Russian, respectively.
Many countries that were part of the former Soviet Union also have a high percentage of Russian language usage on their websites, including Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
Russia's Autonomous Internet
Russia's Autonomous Internet is a concept that includes a set of relationships between different domains in the Russian segment of the Internet.
The Russian segment of the Internet is divided into several zones, each with its own development.
A separate article on TAdviser explores the development of each of these zones.
Censorship on the Internet is a significant aspect of Russia's Internet, with a dedicated article discussing the country's experience with controlling online content.
Accessible Internet, which provides free access to socially significant sites, is also an important consideration in Russia's Internet landscape.
Here's an interesting read: Internet in Russia
Russia Domain Market
The .ru domain is a clear indicator of Russia's online presence, with Russian being used on 89.8% of its sites.
Russia's influence extends beyond its own domain, as Russian is also the most used language on .su sites, which represent the former Soviet Union.
The .su domain is a relic of the past, but it still holds significant value in the Russian-speaking internet. Russian is used on 88.7% of .su sites.
The use of Russian on these domains is a testament to the language's widespread adoption in countries that were once part of the Soviet Union. In Ukraine, Russian is used on 79.0% of websites.
Worth a look: Blocking of Telegram in Russia
Largest Sites in Russia
Russia's Internet is a vast and fascinating world, and one of the most interesting aspects is the size and scope of its largest sites. VKontakte, also known as VK, is the most popular social networking site in Russia, with over 100 million active users.
It's a staggering number, and a testament to the site's enduring popularity. VK is a social media giant, with a presence that extends far beyond Russia's borders.
Yandex, Russia's homegrown search engine, is another massive player in the country's online landscape. With a market share of over 50%, it's the go-to search engine for millions of Russians.
Curious to learn more? Check out: VK (company)
Runet Statistics
As of 2013, the 59.7 million Russian-speaking Internet users represented 3% of global Internet users. This is a significant number, and it's no surprise that Russia was ranked 9th in the world for number of users in April 2012.
In September 2011, Russia surpassed Germany as the biggest Internet market in Europe, with 50.8 million users. This milestone marked a turning point in the country's online presence.
Here's a breakdown of Russia's online presence in numbers:
By 2013, Russia had 59.7 million Russian-speaking Internet users, which accounted for 4.8% of global Russian-language content.
Statistics
As of 2013, the 59.7 million Russian-speaking Internet users represented 3% of global Internet users. This is a significant number, but it's interesting to note that Russia was ranked 9th in the world for number of users in April 2012.
In September 2011, Russia surpassed Germany as the biggest Internet market in Europe, with 50.8 million users. This milestone marked a turning point in the growth of the Internet in Russia.
Here are some key statistics about the Russian Internet market:
- 2013: 59.7 million Russian-speaking Internet users
- April 2012: Russia ranked 9th in the world for number of users
- September 2011: Russia surpassed Germany as the biggest Internet market in Europe
- 2012: Russia was ranked 4th (with 4.8%) for number of Russian-language content
What's Now?
As we explore the current state of the Runet, it's essential to understand what's happening before the new law comes into force. The 5 months leading up to the law's implementation will be crucial in preparing the necessary infrastructure.
The Ministry of Communications (MoC), the Government, and RKN are working together to create 30 by-laws that will fill in the gaps in the law. You can track their progress here.

These by-laws will address various aspects, including the list of threats to the Runet and the principles of centralized traffic management. They will also define the technical parameters and rules governing the "black boxes" used in the network.
The registry of traffic exchange points will be formed, and rules will be established for providing information from operators and owners of ASN for filling in various information systems. The national DNS will also be defined.
A Center for monitoring and control of the public communications network has already been created, with the Government signing a resolution in February 2019. It's expected to start working by January 2020.
Domains
The Russian language is widely used on various domain extensions. The .ru domain has a whopping 89.8% of websites using Russian.
The .su domain, which was previously reserved for the former Soviet Union, also has a high proportion of Russian language usage at 88.7%.
In countries that were part of the former Soviet Union, Russian is the most used language on websites. This includes Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.
In Ukraine, 79.0% of websites use Russian, while in Belarus, the figure is 86.9%. Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also have significant Russian language usage at 84.0% and 79.6% respectively.
Recommended read: Telecommunications in Ukraine
Runet Development
Runet Development is a thriving sector, with various areas of focus. The Internet economy is a significant contributor, with online trading being a major player in the Russian market.
Online advertising is also a key area, with video advertising on the Internet being particularly popular in Russia. This has led to a growth in online tourism, with Russians increasingly booking trips and vacations online.
Some notable areas of focus in Runet Development include online video and music streaming, with many Russians using these services to access entertainment content. Additionally, web development is a vital aspect, with many companies in the Russian market offering web development services.
Business
The business side of Runet is thriving, with a growing internet economy that's creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
The internet economy in Russia is expanding rapidly, with online trading becoming a significant player in the Russian market. Online advertising is also on the rise, with video advertising on the internet being a particularly effective way to reach customers.
Video advertising on the internet is a key area of growth, with more and more businesses turning to online video to promote their products and services. Online tourism is another area where Russia is making significant strides, with many Russians now booking their holidays online.
In addition to these areas, music streaming is also becoming increasingly popular in Russia, with many Russians now using music streaming services to access their favorite music.
Accessibility for disabled people
Accessibility for disabled people is a pressing issue in the Runet, with a Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media meeting held in 2019 to study the availability of digital information resources for people with hearing, vision, and movement coordination disorders.
The event was dedicated to further developing the "global philosophy of accessibility" in Russia, a significant step towards creating a more inclusive online environment.
A Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media meeting of the interdepartmental working group was held on September 26, 2019, to address the issue of accessibility of Runet resources for disabled people.
Additional reading: Digital Telecom Internet Exchange
This meeting was a crucial step towards making digital resources more accessible to people with disabilities, and it's great to see the government taking action on this important issue.
The "global philosophy of accessibility" in Russia is a concept that aims to make digital information resources more accessible to people with disabilities, and it's an area that's gaining more attention in the Runet.
Bright Careers
Bright careers in Runet are still possible despite the challenges ahead. Total investments in Runet startups will decrease by more than 40% in 2009.
Investments in Runet startups were estimated at $150-200 in 2008. This significant decrease is a concern for entrepreneurs and investors alike.
Free Analysis Reports
If you're looking for insights into the Russian internet, you'll find free analysis reports available online.
These reports provide valuable data on various aspects of the Runet, including internet use in Russia. For example, one report from Q2 '2010 offers a detailed analysis of audience, domains, and sites.
To give you a better idea of what's available, here are some specific reports you can access:
- Internet use in Russia Q2 '2010: Audience, domains, sites. PDF
These reports can be a great resource for anyone interested in understanding the development of the Runet.
Runet Issues
Russia's Runet has faced issues with censorship, particularly on the internet. Censorship (control) on the Internet. Experience of Russia is a significant concern.
The government has strict control over the online space, restricting access to certain websites and online content. Main article: Accessible Internet (free access to socially significant sites) highlights the issue of limited internet access.
This has led to a fragmented online experience for Russian citizens, with some websites and online services being unavailable or heavily restricted.
Runet Usage
For ordinary users, the term Runet means that the content of websites is available for Russian users without foreign language skills, or that online shops have an office in Russia.
Many Russian users prefer local services over international ones because they have more Russian-specific features and a local community, as seen with VK.com and Yandex.
Russian officials often use the term Runet as a synonym for Internet infrastructure in Russia, subject to Russian law, including censorship laws, copyright, corporate, and advertisement laws.
Millions of users outside Russia use the Russian language on the Internet, making it not entirely accurate for officials to assume the Russian Wikipedia is based in Russia as a business entity.
About Our Coverage
We're excited to share our coverage of Runet, the Russian segment of the internet. Our goal is to provide you with accurate and comprehensive information about this vast and complex topic.
Runet is a massive network, with over 70 million domains registered, making it one of the largest internet segments in the world. This is a staggering number, considering the global total is around 350 million.
We'll be exploring the history of Runet, which began in the early 1990s, when the Soviet Union collapsed and Russia gained access to the global internet. This marked the beginning of a new era for Russian online users.
The Russian government plays a significant role in regulating Runet, with many websites and online services subject to strict censorship and surveillance. This has led to a cat-and-mouse game between authorities and internet users seeking to evade restrictions.
Our coverage will also delve into the economic aspects of Runet, including the growth of e-commerce and online banking in Russia. The country's e-commerce market is expected to reach $50 billion by 2025.
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