A working group under the Russian government has proposed allowing the use of foreign graphics processing units (GPUs) in critical information infrastructure and state information systems. The initiative aims to address the current shortage of domestic hardware capable of training and running large-scale artificial intelligence models.
The proposal suggests creating a temporary legal framework that permits the acquisition of foreign computing resources until Russian-made equivalents with comparable performance become available. This mechanism would be subject to state control, with the exemption automatically expiring once domestic processors meet the required technical standards.
Proposed amendments to existing regulations, including Presidential Decree No. 166 and Government Resolution No. 719, would allow the use of non-registry equipment if the Ministry of Industry and Trade confirms no domestic alternative exists. Such deployments would require mandatory information security measures coordinated with the Federal Security Service (FSB).
The working group also identified technical compatibility issues between foreign GPUs, such as those from Nvidia, and Russian operating systems. To resolve this, officials are considering adjustments to Government Resolution No. 1912, which currently restricts the use of non-trusted software and hardware complexes acquired after September 1, 2024.
The Ministry of Digital Development stated that these proposals require a coordinated position from all relevant agencies and had not been officially received as of October 12, 2026. Industry experts emphasize that while foreign hardware is currently necessary for high-performance AI tasks, the focus must remain on stimulating domestic production and ensuring long-term technological sovereignty.
