Russian firms continue to rely on foreign software because switching to domestic options demands substantial effort and time. This stance was echoed in remarks reported by Pravda.Ru from the Internet Ombudsman, Dmitry Marinichev.
Marinichev pointed out that Russian alternatives do not always satisfy a company’s needs, and opting for local products can bring additional costs for the business. He noted that the pressures faced by enterprises come from both financial constraints and human resource limits. He stressed that this transition is not a simple swap of one program for another on a personal computer, but a complex transformation across the entire technology stack.
According to Marinichev, Russian and foreign offerings differ in fundamental ways, making seamless integration a difficult goal. The result is a careful balancing act where compatibility and performance must be weighed against policy and cost considerations.
In late May, Maksut Shadayev, the Minister of Digital Development, announced that the ministry is discussing the introduction of fees for Russian companies that use foreign software. He argued that domestic entrepreneurs have already learned to operate under restrictions and continue to update foreign software, a practice that sustains operations while national options evolve.
The broader narrative shows a government and business landscape in which the move toward domestic IT ecosystems is ongoing. After years of emphasis on open competition and modernization, there is increasing attention to how policy levers might shape software choices without crippling the operational needs of businesses. The dialogue reflects a transitional period as Russia weighs its readiness to reduce reliance on overseas technology while maintaining competitiveness and security standards for the digital economy.
Historically, the country had signaled intentions to provide new advantages for IT companies, aiming to boost innovation and local capability. The current discourse indicates that while the push for domestic software continues, the practical path forward remains iterative and pragmatic, requiring collaboration between policymakers, developers, and end users. This dynamic underscores the reality that technology adoption is both a strategic and a daily operational concern for many organizations in Russia and beyond.