For the First Time in Years, Cybercrime Growth Slows Down in Russia
New national policies, coordinated threat responses, and regulatory oversight have contributed to a sharp deceleration in cybercrime activity. The trend could signal a long-term shift in digital security across the Russian Federation.
Policy pivot and decline in fraud cases
Russia’s cybercrime landscape, once marked by relentless growth, appears to be entering a new phase. According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, only a 0.7% increase in cybercrimes was recorded in the first half of 2025 (371,400 reported incidents)—a dramatic slowdown compared to the 15.8% spike in the same period of 2024 and the 13% rise for all of last year (765,000 cases).
This marks the first time in years that the total number of fraud cases in Russia has declined—down 0.8% to 221,600 incidents. Of these, 83% involved digital fraud using IT systems or computer technologies.
The reduction in crime rates reflects a change in national cybersecurity strategy. Analysts say it boosts public and business trust in domestic digital systems and improves Russia’s global cybersecurity standing. It also reduces the risk of financial and personal data losses and may serve as a model for developing countries facing similar cybercrime surges.
Secured national exchange platform under development
In mid-July, Russia’s Civic Chamber proposed the creation of a unified, secure information-sharing platform connecting banks, telecom operators, regulators, and law enforcement agencies.
The proposal was outlined in a report submitted to President Vladimir Putin and Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov. Its goal is to create a centralized defense layer to fight digital fraud and accelerate responses to emerging cyberthreats.
Cybercrime losses in Russia exceeded 200 billion rubles in 2024. Meanwhile, the clearance rate for such crimes dropped to just 23%.
The proposed exchange platform is expected to help update the regulatory framework for cybercrime, improve control over digital transfers (e.g., Fast Payment System - SBP), and allow for better monitoring of content and VPN traffic. Such infrastructure could eventually be exported to regulators and private firms in other regions, especially in the CIS and developing markets.
From acceleration to stabilization: what changed?
Cyberfraud in Russia surged 40.5% in the first half of 2023. In early 2024, it was still rising at 15.8%—with record-breaking 9.3 billion rubles stolen from bank customers in Q3 alone. Over 40% of these losses came from online banking and transfer fraud, surpassing traditional card-based schemes.
A large share of these scams relied on phishing tactics involving fake QR codes and spoofed payment requests, particularly through the SBP. In Q1 2024, theft via SBP hit 1.13 billion rubles—double the amount from the same period in 2023.
In response, Russia introduced new cybersecurity policies during winter 2025, including restrictions on the use of foreign messaging platforms for official communication by government and financial institutions. These regulations aim to reduce the risk of social engineering and phishing attacks exploiting insecure communication channels.
Outlook: Can Russia sustain the trend?
The downturn in cybercrime growth is being welcomed as a sign of policy effectiveness. Experts attribute the progress to a multi-layered approach that combines legal reform, technology integration, and public-private collaboration.
Still, caution remains. Sophisticated fraud schemes, VPN-based operations, SBP exploits, and a growing number of DDoS attacks (Russia ranks among the global top five) remain significant threats. Analysts believe cybercrime in Russia could decline by 5–10% by 2026 if secure exchange systems are implemented successfully.
Additionally, Russia’s cybersecurity frameworks may become viable exports in the coming years, opening opportunities for IT firms to offer threat detection, compliance, and monitoring systems abroad.
