Yandex’s restructuring and the future of Kremlin tech control

Yandex’s separation into distinct Russian and international entities marks a pivotal shift in Kremlin control over Russia’s technology sector. The Russian assets, sold to a consortium of investors linked to figures like Yuri Kovalchuk, face intensified state oversight, including mandatory data sharing with the FSB and strict censorship of news content. While founder Arkady Volosh retains control over international startups, these ventures face significant financial hurdles and market challenges following the company's valuation collapse. Medusa journalist Svetlana Reiter highlights that this restructuring effectively cements a state-controlled internet ecosystem, mirroring the trajectory of other platforms like VK. Beyond the Yandex deal, the broader political landscape remains volatile, underscored by the dismissal of Ukraine’s military commander Valery Zaluzhny, the rejection of Boris Nadezhdin’s presidential bid, and the implications of Vladimir Putin’s recent interview with Tucker Carlson.