The new framework introduces mandatory identification through Russia’s Unified Identification and Authentication System (ESIA), annual re-identification of domain holders and new eligibility requirements for registrars. For brand owners and businesses managing Russian domain portfolios, the changes make accurate registrant data and timely identity verification increasingly important.

Government Resolution No. 1119 of 31 August 2026 establishes detailed rules for registering and administering domain names in the .RU, .РФ and .SU domains.

A person or entity applying for a domain name must provide prescribed identification and contact information to the registrar and complete identification through ESIA. A registrar must decide whether to register or refuse the domain name within three business days after receiving the application.

The Rules state that a domain name is registered without a fixed limitation on its period of use. However, the holder’s right to administer the domain is conditional on annual identification.

Registrars must notify domain holders before the annual identification deadline. If identification is not completed within the applicable preferential renewal period, the registration may be cancelled.

The Rules also regulate changes to registrant information, transfers of domain administration rights, changes of registrar, restrictions arising from domain disputes and the information maintained in the central domain-name register.

Importantly for trademark and brand owners, the registrant remains responsible for the choice of the domain name and for possible infringements of third-party rights resulting from its selection, registration or administration.

Government Resolution No. 1120, also dated 31 August 2026, establishes the procedure for maintaining lists of entities authorised to act as domain registrars. Registration services may be provided by Russian legal entities included in the relevant lists and meeting the prescribed eligibility criteria.

The new rules are relevant to:

The Rules expressly contemplate foreign legal entities as domain holders while also requiring an ESIA account identifier and ESIA-based identification. Foreign domain holders should therefore confirm with their registrar how the new identification requirements apply to their portfolios in practice.

Businesses holding .RU, .РФ or .SU domains should review their portfolios and confirm that the recorded registrant, identification and contact details are accurate.

In particular, domain owners should:

For trademark owners, the new registry framework also makes it advisable to coordinate domain portfolio management with the ownership and enforcement strategy for the corresponding trademarks.

Government Resolution No. 1119 of 31 August 2026, “On Approval of the Rules for Registration of Domain Names”, and Government Resolution No. 1120 of 31 August 2026, concerning the lists and eligibility requirements for domain-name registrars, entered into force on 1 September 2026.

Both resolutions are currently in force and are scheduled to remain effective until 1 September 2032.

Related service: Trademark services — Khusainov Khomyakov & Partners.