Microsoft restricts cloud services for Russian firms amidst new sanctions

The Moscow Times reported on Wednesday that Microsoft began disconnecting companies from the cloud, citing the Russian IT company Softline. In mid-May, the American company began restricting Russian corporate clients' access to Visio Online, Project Online, and Power BI solutions.

"We started receiving information about the commencement of cloud service shutdowns. The subscription status of many of our clients changed to disabled. Users also lost access to Teams applications," Softline wrote on Telegram.

The company had earlier warned that starting in September, Microsoft would implement new sanctions against Russian businesses, cutting off access to some cloud subscriptions for corporate clients in Russia. The new restrictions will apply to entities registered in Russia but will exclude international companies owned by foreign legal entities.

In June, the United States expanded sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with the war in Ukraine, banning the provision of several IT services.

Starting 12 September, a ban will be in place on providing IT consulting, design, and support for software used in business management, design, and production to the Russian side. The bans apply to the export and re-export of services from the United States.

The sanctions, claims the Moscow Times, cover about 300 individuals and entities from Russia, China, Belarus, and South Africa, including the Moscow Stock Exchange and national settlement institutions.