Data Centers in Moscow

Moscow – Russia's Primary Interconnection Hub

Moscow serves as the dominant digital hub for Russia and the surrounding region, offering the highest concentration of network providers and data centers in the country. It is the primary market for organizations requiring low-latency access to Russian end-users and business centers. The dense connectivity ecosystem makes it a critical location for content delivery, financial services, and multinational corporations operating within the region.

Moscow: At A Glance

Network & Connectivity Ecosystem

Moscow's network environment is the most developed in Russia, characterized by a high density of domestic and international carriers.

Carrier Density & Carrier Neutrality: With over 40 data centers and 8 unique network service providers available as of September 2025, Moscow offers significant choice for interconnection. The market features numerous carrier-neutral facilities, allowing customers to connect to the provider that best suits their performance and cost requirements.

Direct Cloud On-Ramps: There are no public cloud on-ramps from major international providers located directly in Moscow as of September 2025. Access to hyperscale clouds like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure is typically achieved via network extensions to major European hubs such as Helsinki, Stockholm, or Frankfurt. Private network connections can be established to ensure reliable performance.

Internet Exchange Points (IXPs): Moscow is home to several major internet exchanges, most notably MSK-IX. These IXPs are critical for efficient traffic exchange, enabling low-latency peering between internet service providers, content networks, and enterprises throughout Russia.

Bare Metal: Bare metal server options are widely available in Moscow. Providers like Hivelocity and phoenixNAP offer dedicated server solutions for workloads demanding high performance and direct hardware access.

Power Analysis

Power infrastructure in Moscow is generally reliable, especially within the primary technology and business districts where most data centers are located.

Average Cost Of Power: Industrial electricity rates are estimated to be between 4.00–6.00 ₽/kWh as of September 2025. These competitive power costs, relative to other major European capitals, can offer a significant operational expense advantage for high-density deployments. The grid mix is dominated by fossil fuels (~65%), with significant contributions from nuclear (~20%) and hydroelectric (~14%) sources.

Power Grid Reliability: The city's power grid is well-engineered, with data center operators leveraging connections to multiple substations to provide redundancy. Modern facilities are built to high standards, ensuring stable and consistent power delivery for mission-critical operations.

Market Access, Business & Tax Climate

Moscow's strategic position makes it the default entry point for accessing the vast Russian market.

Proximity To Key Business Districts: Data centers are strategically located with access to Moscow's Central Business District, the Moscow International Business Center (Moscow-City), and other key commercial zones. This proximity provides low-latency connectivity essential for financial trading, e-commerce, and corporate IT services.

Regional Market Reach: As the country's primary economic and network hub, infrastructure in Moscow effectively serves a population of over 140 million people across Russia and neighboring CIS countries. It is the logical center for digital service delivery across 11 time zones.

Tax Advantage For Data Centers: While specific tax incentives for data centers are not offered, Russia provides certain benefits for IT companies. These programs can potentially lower operational costs for businesses with a significant technology focus.

Natural Disaster Risk

Moscow has a moderate overall disaster risk profile, with the primary threats stemming from non-seismic events and human factors.

Based on the INFORM Risk Index, Moscow has an overall risk score of 4.4 out of 10 as of September 2025. The key natural hazards to consider are:

• River Flood: Score of 8.4, representing the most significant natural hazard.
• Drought: Score of 6.1.
• Coastal Flood: Score of 5.3, though the direct impact is minimal given the city's inland location.
• Earthquake: Score of 4.2, indicating a low but present seismic risk.
• Tsunami: Score of 4.2, not a direct threat to the inland metro.
• Tropical Cyclone: Score of 2.2, representing a very low risk.