On September 5, 2024, the chairman of IIS Board of Directors Yuri Hohlov answered questions from a Novye Izvestia correspondent regarding the problems of access to YouTube resources.
I do not understand what this is about from a legal point of view. In this case, no one has made a legal decision to block (or slow down) traffic in relation to the YouTube platform. In our country, such actions are taken only by court order. Therefore, no one can demand to slow down or speed up traffic to this or that resource. If we talk specifically about YouTube, then our national operator Rostelecom warned back in mid-July 2024 about a serious overload of Google equipment designed to cache video hosting content. And that this affects the download speed and quality of playback of YouTube videos.
What will happen to YouTube if the equipment degradation continues? As in other cases, users (albeit not immediately) will go to other platforms. Have you visited Rambler lately? There was a time when it was the number one portal in the Russian segment of the World Wide Web, successfully competing with Yandex. Or LiveJournal, which was quite popular until competitors with more convenient services appeared, and now only devoted fans remain on LiveJournal. As soon as web sites cease to be convenient for the user, he goes to where he is offered the best conditions. If there is poor access to YouTube in the Russian segment of the World Wide Web, the user will go to Rutube or VK Video. Only enthusiasts or those who are attached to YouTube will remain.
Source: Novye Izvestia