Eastern Europe / Tech
Russia's electronics sector lacks investment
The Russian electronics industry requires $3.8bn in private investment to meet government targets. However, private investors are unlikely to contribute the full amount, and the state can only provide a fraction of the necessary funding.
Sanctions isolate Russia’s tech sector, but market consolidation fuels profits
Russia’s technology sector is falling behind the rest of the world after being cut off by sanctions, but the leading companies have seen profits rise after their market share grew once all their international competition left the Russian market.
Russian authorities struggle to curb YouTube
Russian authorities' efforts to challenge YouTube have seen limited success, even as its largest local competitor, VK, overtook it in audience reach for the first time last December.
Belarusian firm providing Russia with military-quality microchips
A Belarusian state-owned enterprise has been supplying Russia with microchips crucial for missile production, using Western-manufactured equipment, components and raw materials in violation of international sanctions.
Russia blocks a record 417,000 websites in 2024 as the Kremlin tightens its control over RuNet
Russia blocked a record 417,000 websites in 2024, according to the independent monitoring group Roskomsvoboda, as the Kremlin tightens its grip over RuNet.
Sanctions have created opportunities for Chinese tech companies in Russia
Chinese IT companies are rapidly expanding their footprint in Russia, capitalising on new opportunities created by the ongoing war and extreme Western sanctions that have banned tech exports to Russia.
Belarusian blogger sets up a parody bank and token as a joke and unexpectedly becomes a millionaire
A Belarusian blogger set up a fake bank and launched a meme token as a joke and was stunned when it made him a millionaire in under a week.
Russia considering crackdown on "destructive" video games
Russian lawmakers are considering a crackdown on video games, blaming them for “aggression and violence,” while attempts to produce local, “patriotic” games have failed to get traction so far.
E-commerce grows up to 80% in Russian regions in 2024
Russian e-commerce and online services growth in 2024 stood at over 25% and is driven by deeper penetration into the regional territories.
RuNet sees its second big outage since January
Russia’s internet, or RuNet, experienced its second significant outage of the year, with users unable to access most websites and online services for approximately 30 minutes on January 14.
NEO: Why pick-up points for online orders are gaining popularity vs. home delivery
The share of European consumers preferring home delivery for online orders dropped from 73% to 64% over the past year, according to a Last Mile Experts study.
Russian software firm Softline expects to grow 36% in 2025
Russian software major Softline reiterated its 2024 revenue growth guidance of more than 20% year-on-year (y/y) to RUB110bn ($96mn) and gross profit to grow by more than 27% y/y to RUB 30bn. EBITDA is expected to exceed RUB6bn, up 35% y/y in 2024.
Russia, Belarus make first cross-border digital financial asset transactions
The first cross-border transactions using digital financial assets (DFA) between Russia and Belarus have taken place as both countries try to avoid US financial sanctions.
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Uncertain future for Russian IT growth
Almost three years after the departure of major Western IT firms, Russia's tech market is on the rise, but the growth is unlikely to be sustainable.
Investigation shows Russian money channeled to Romanian media and conspiracy theorists
Snoop investigation finds Kremlin-linked digital advertising firm AdNow channelled at least €2mn to Romanian media and influencers promoting conspiracy theories and far-right content.
Russia's robot industry struggles
Since the departure of global industrial robot manufacturers, Russia has been striving to establish local robot production as a substitute, but progress has been minimal so far.