Google has notified Russian internet providers that it plans to remove some of its Russia-based servers, the RBC news agency reported Friday, December 26, citing sources.
The company plans to decommission Dell R720 servers used to speed content delivery to users.
The hardware is part of the Google Global Cache system. These servers cache and serve YouTube videos, Google Maps, Android and Chrome updates, and images from Google Search.
After the war in Ukraine began, the company stopped installing new servers of this type in Russia.
According to the notice, decommissioning is set to begin January 26, 2026. Google cited the Dell R720’s end-of-life status and lack of warranty support. The company also said these machines handle a minimal share of traffic. Other Google Global Cache servers in Russia will remain in operation.
One provider told RBC that in a follow-up letter, Google asked to power down the specified servers, remove them from racks and provide an address for pickup. Some Dell R720 units have already been taken out, the person said. The dismantling and removal is being handled by European firm MPK Asset Solutions, which specializes in IT asset lifecycle services, including de-installation and disposal, according to the report.
Google ended commercial operations and closed its office in Russia after the country’s armed invasion of Ukraine, leaving only free services available.
The company’s Russian legal entity, LLC Google, was declared bankrupt in October 2023.
After its exit, Google did not upgrade Google Global Cache servers in Russia. Roskomnadzor later seized on that, slowing YouTube’s performance in summer 2024.
The regulator claimed the slowdown was due to Google’s failure to refresh server hardware. Google denied that.
Later, former State Duma lawmaker Alexander Khinshtein, then head of the information policy committee, said the YouTube throttling had been initiated by Russian authorities. After that, Roskomnadzor accused the platform of “numerous legal violations” and “disrespect” toward the country.
In December 2025, Andrei Svintsov, deputy chair of the State Duma’s information policy committee, said YouTube could be fully blocked in Russia within the next six to twelve months.
