The government working group on AI is considering easing import restrictions for computing equipment. Discussions focus on returning products from Samsung and SK Hynix to the parallel import list, which would simplify procurement for servers and data centers.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade removed nearly 20 brands, including Samsung, SK Hynix, Intel, and HP, from the parallel import list in May. While imports are technically possible with the rights holder's consent, the lack of such permission risks customs seizure and legal consequences.
Samsung suspended shipments to Russia in 2022, and SK Hynix closed its local office in 2024. Despite this, Russian companies remain heavily dependent on imported memory and SSDs for server assembly, as there is currently no comparable domestic production for these components.
The urgency of the issue has increased following recent drone attacks on data centers. Within two weeks, five facilities belonging to Yandex, Sberbank, and VK were targeted. This has forced the industry to prioritize infrastructure restoration and capacity redundancy.
