Trends

Microsoft ceases cloud services in Russia amid Western sanctions

Microsoft will halt cloud services for Russian users this week, prompting the need for data backups advised through a Telegram channel.

AuthorSylvia Shen

Reading Time2 min

PublishedMarch 19, 2024

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Headline

Microsoft will halt cloud services for Russian users this week, prompting the need for data backups advised through a Telegram channel.

Context

Later this week, Microsoft will cease offering cloud services to users in Russia as a component of the sanctions implemented by Western countries against the nation. To assist its customers, the firm has created a special Telegram channel, advising that everyone create backups of their data as quickly as possible.

Evidence

Pending intelligence enrichment.

Analysis

According to Elena Volotovskaya, vice president of investments at Softline, a Russian IT business, she stated that a warning letter was sent early this month to all Microsoft clients. Additionally, Volotovskaya stated that local businesses should, if they haven’t already, move to local service providers and that other large global cloud providers, including Amazon and Google, would soon follow Microsoft’s lead for the same reason. Also read: Microsoft the latest to waive cloud egress fees Also read: 7 cloud computing trends that will define 2024

Key Points

Microsoft is set to halt cloud services for Russian users this week, in line with sanctions imposed by Western nations, prompting the need for data backups advised through a Telegram channel.
Russian IT company Softline’s Elena Volotovskaya revealed that Microsoft had forewarned clients with a letter earlier this month, urging Russian businesses to transition to local service providers amidst the impending withdrawal of global cloud services, led by Microsoft, with…
Russian firms prepared for the withdrawal of Western cloud services, initiated by the 12th sanctions package in December 2023, which also saw exclusion from the SWIFT network and the departure of major payment service providers like Visa and MasterCard.