Cogent, one of the largest internet service providers in the world, has suspended operations in Russia.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an internet backbone company that routes data across intercontinental links broke ties with Russian customers.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an internet backbone company that routes data across intercontinental links broke ties with Russian customers. Cogent Communications, a US-based internet backbone provider, cited "economic sanctions" and "the increasingly unclear security environment" as reasons for its total suspension in Russia in a letter to Russian customers, according to The Washington Post.

The Post got a copy of Cogent Communications' communication to Russian clients. Cogent is one of the world's largest internet backbone providers, with customers in more than 50 countries, including a number of well-known Russian firms.

According to The Verge, an American technology news website, Cogent "ended its contracts" with Russian customers in response to the European Union's decision to ban Russian state-owned media sites.

Who are Cogent's most well-known Russian clients?

According to an article published by The Verge, Doug Madory, an internet analyst at network tracking startup Kentik, the state-backed telecom behemoth Rostelecom and Russian search engine Yandex are among the company's most prominent Russian customers. Two of Russia's leading carriers, MegaFon and VEON, are among the most prominent Russian consumers, according to Madory.

According to the research, disconnecting Russia from Cogent's worldwide network will certainly result in slower connectivity. He did say, though, that it would not completely cut Russians off from the internet. Instead, traffic from Cogent's former customers will be routed through other national backbone providers. As a result, network congestion will occur.

According to the article, there is no evidence that other internet backbone providers in Russia will also cease services.

Digital Rights Activists' Criticism

Cogent, on the other hand, has been chastised by digital rights groups for their choice to cut ties with Russia.

They believe that breaking relations with Russians by the internet backbone provider could hinder Russian residents from getting critical information about the invasion. On Twitter, Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the digital rights organisation Electronic Frontier Foundation, warned that denying Russians access to the internet cuts them off from sources of internet news and the capacity to organise anti-war protests.

The executive director of Russia's Internet Protection Society, Mikhail Klimarev, told The Washington Post that if the Internet is turned off in Russia, 140 million people will be shut off from at least some factual information.

People may find out the facts as long as the Internet exists, he claims. "There will be no Internet – everyone in Russia will only listen to propaganda," Klimarev said, according to The Washington Post.

What did Cogent's CEO have to say?

Cogent Communications' Chief Executive Officer, Dave Schaeffer, told The Washington Post that the company's move is not meant to "harm anyone." Schaeffer further stated that the corporation does not want Russian residents to be unable to use the Internet.

According to The Washington Post, Cogent's purpose is to prevent the Russian government from utilising the company's networks for cyberattacks and propaganda.

In a statement to business technology news website ZDNet, Cogent Communications stated it was also complying with the European Union Regulation 2022/350, which was issued on March 1, 2022, regarding the restriction of specific media.

According to a ZDNet article, Cogent is not otherwise throttling or blocking communications originating from or destined for Russia, citing a business spokeswoman. Cogent continues to supply services to Ukraine, according to the spokeswoman.

Russia has banned access to certain news sources and social media platforms.

Access to the BBC websites was restricted on Friday, hours after the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reintroduced its shortwave radio programme in Ukraine and Russia, according to the state-owned Russian RIA news agency.

Radio Liberty and the Meduza media portal were also denied access by the state communication authority Roskomnadzor.

According to media sources, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has been totally prohibited in Russia. Google Play appears to be restricted as well.

On Friday, the Russian government passed a new law prohibiting the dissemination of "fake news."

According to The Verge, Russia has reportedly restricted access to Twitter and threatened to remove Wikipedia due to "false statements" about the Ukraine conflict.