A Digital Concentration Camp: moscow Sharply Increases Spending on Propaganda and VPN Blocking

The kremlin is tightening the noose even further around russia’s information space: the draft federal budget of the rf for 2027–2029 calls for increased spending on both the technical blocking of “undesirable” internet content and on state-run and pro-government media.

In fact, moscow is pursuing a two-pronged strategy: with one hand, it restricts access to alternative information; with the other, it “pumps” billions into its own information machine. VPN services, which the russian authorities hate, will be subject to even tighter control.

In 2027, $238 million is planned to be allocated for the operation of the automated system for ensuring the security of the internet (ASBI) which is subordinate to “roskomnadzor”. This is twice as much as was provided for in the previous budget for that same year.

In total, nearly $719 million is earmarked for the system of technical control over internet traffic for the period 2027–2029. The stated goal is to modernize measures to counter “internet threats”. kremlin officials are even considering the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies to detect encrypted traffic and automatically block non-standard VPN protocols in real time. During the first week following the sham state duma elections, access to at least 10 VPN services was restricted.

There are also reports of even more ambitious plans. According to an order issued by “roskomnadzor”, by 2030, the federal state unitary enterprise “main radio frequency center” is required to block 92% of available VPN services. After details of the document became public, it was removed from public access.

At the same time, the kremlin is increasing financial support for state-run and pro-government media. In 2027, $1.74 billion is planned to be spent on state media and information support – by 45% more than was provided for in the previous budget draft. More than $153 million is earmarked for informational, explanatory, and expert-sociological support for vladimir putin’s initiatives in the media and on social networks, and total funding for 2027–2029 will reach $4.07 billion.

For moscow, control over information has long since become not merely a tool of domestic policy, but a condition for the regime’s survival – with its own infrastructure for blocking content, surveillance technologies, and multibillion funding for propaganda.