In an interview with Arguments and Facts, Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for the President of the Russian Federation, suggested that Rutube could eventually rival YouTube. He noted, however, that such competition would make the question of shutting down the larger platform less relevant, underscoring a strategic shift toward strengthening Russia’s own video service as a viable counterbalance in the global online video landscape.
Peskov pointed to the fact that Rutube has faced hacker attacks, interpreting these incidents as signals that the service is increasingly regarded as a credible challenger. He stressed that substantial work remains for Rutube to reach parity with YouTube, including improvements in infrastructure, user experience, and content ecosystem, before it can be perceived as a true alternative by a broad audience in Russia and beyond.
“And as soon as Rutube starts competing with YouTube, the question you asked will lose its validity,” the Kremlin spokesperson added, framing the ongoing development as a natural part of Russia’s broader strategy to diversify its digital platforms and reduce dependence on foreign services.
Earlier this year, the Feedback Center conducted a broad consumer study in which more than half of respondents participated. The results indicated a positive reception to import substitution measures related to blocked social networks, highlighting a growing appetite among Russian users for domestically produced substitutes that can offer comparable features and reliability while aligning with local regulatory and security expectations.
In related steps, Besogon TV, recently owned by the State Duma, was cited as a potential catalyst for Rutube’s development following the blocking of competing platforms. This connection points to a broader policy framework aimed at fostering domestic alternatives and ensuring continuity of access to online video services amid geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes.