May 6, 2026

Part of the Ministry of Digital Development's powers will be officially transferred to the FSB. The department will undergo reorganization, involving mass layoffs

The Ministry of Digital Development will undergo reorganization and reduce its staff by 15%. Two deputy ministers are preparing to leave the department, and some of its powers will be officially transferred to the FSB. RBC reports this, citing sources. According to the publication, the reorganization began about a month and a half ago. It plans to merge some departments, and the responsibilities of the cybersecurity department are intended to be transferred to the FSB and the Federal Service for Technical and Export Control (FSTEC). Several high-ranking officials are also likely to leave the department: Deputy Head Sergey Kuchushev, who currently oversees the departments of economy and finance, IT industry development, and digital competencies and education. Deputy Head Alexander Shoytov, responsible for the information security department. The departure of Evgeny Khasin, who heads the cybersecurity department, is also being considered. A representative of the Ministry of Digital Development declined to comment. Earlier, The Bell reported that as of at least the summer of 2025, the Second Service of the FSB, responsible for the poisoning of Navalny and Kara-Murza, has been behind blocking measures in the Russian internet and the fight against VPNs. "Sedov [head of the Second Service] allegedly promised Putin to bring order to the internet and received carte blanche," one of the sources told journalists.