Welcome to Beyond Global Waves, the weekly podcast by NEXUS-IBA covering global media and technology. In this episode, we examine Russia’s 16 KB curtain, a novel and concerning form of internet throttling. Since June 9, 2025, Russian internet providers have limited data transfers to just 16 kilobytes for specific websites.
The targets are primarily sites using Cloudflare and other primary Western cloud services, such as Hetzner, OVH, and DigitalOcean. When users in Russia attempt to load these sites, the connection is severed after a small amount of data has been transferred. This makes websites appear to load initially, but they quickly stop functioning. Basic browsing, online payments, and apps relying on APIs all fail.
This blocking method uses several technical tricks, including silent disconnections, TCP resets, and packet interference. These actions affect all key web protocols, including HTTP/1.1, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3.
Major providers, including Rostelecom, Megafon, VimpelCom, MTS, and MGTS, are leading the effort. The aim is to encourage users to move away from foreign platforms and reduce their reliance on Western technology. At the same time, the goal is to limit access to foreign news and independent information. Cloudflare has confirmed that it cannot fix the issue, as the problem is on the Russian side.
This episode examines how the 16KB Curtain extends beyond blocking content. It disrupts the structure of the internet itself, affecting openness and access. It sets a worrying example for future censorship tactics.
Some organisations have found technical solutions. One method involves using a reverse proxy and port forwarding from networks outside Russia. Services like WorldDirector by NEXUS-IBA and Milano Ventures Ltd have helped some users stay connected. Still, the broader impact is clear. Companies are being forced to change their infrastructure or stop serving Russian users. This case highlights the growing risk to global digital freedom.
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