The rules for managing .RU, .РФ, and .SU domains are changing. New regulations introduce strict mandatory identity verification and local presence requirements.If you own, develop, or manage websites using these extensions, understanding these updates is critical to avoiding sudden infrastructure downtime.
The Critical Deadline: September 1, 2026
The new regulatory framework officially takes effect on September 1, 2026.
- Domain Suspensions: Any active domain that has not completed the required identity verification by this date will be suspended and taken offline by the registrar.
- Locked Controls: Unverified domains will be frozen, meaning you will lose the ability to update DNS records, transfer ownership, or process renewals.
- Immediate Action Window: Existing domain owners must use the time leading up to this autumn deadline to update registrant data and complete the verification process.
Essential Key Factors
- State Platform Identification: Domain administrators must verify their identities through the official state portal, Gosuslugi (via the ESIA system). This applies retroactively to all existing domains, not just new registrations.
- The Local Presence Requirement: Completing this verification requires a physical presence, local identification documents, or a locally registered corporate entity, creating a major obstacle for international owners.
- Interlocking Hosting Laws: If a website targets local users, uses the local language, or processes local currency, it must comply with strict data localization laws requiring user databases to be hosted on physical servers within the region.
- Strict Registrar Enforcement: Local hosting providers and domain registrars are now legally required to enforce these strict client identification procedures under penalty of law.
Recommended Next Steps
- Audit Infrastructure -Identify all domains, websites, and services that rely on .ru extensions.
- Review Data Hosting - Confirm where website data and infrastructure are hosted to ensure compliance with local requirements.
- Monitor Regulatory Changes -Stay updated on Domain policies, hosting regulations, and related compliance requirements.