Digital “import substitution” in Russia has reached a dead end
Major state-owned russian companies admit: the switch to russian software is being postponed for years due to lack of funds.
▫️ At the conference “digital industry of industrial russia 2025,” representatives of energy, transport, and communications companies acknowledged that despite kremlin orders, they will continue using pirated versions of Western software. Companies say they currently do not have extra funds to pay for licenses for russian software. Experts estimate that a real transition to russian “alternatives” is possible no earlier than 5–7 years from now.
The so-called “technological independence” of russia is an illusion shattered by reality: there is no money, no specialists, and no competitive solutions. kremlin’s directives on “import substitution” under sanctions and war conditions are not backed by resources, and thus only create new risks and problems for critical infrastructure and business.
