Domain registrar Namecheap ends service for Russian customers over Ukraine conflict

MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - One of the largest international registrars of domain names, Namecheap has warned Russian customers that it is terminating their service due to Russia's military operation in Ukraine.

In a letter to Russian customers seen by Interfax, Namecheap asked them to switch their domains to another registrar by March 6. The company will also cease providing hosting and email services to Russian users.

The director of the Coordination Center for TLD RU/RF, Andrei Vorobyev told Interfax that the center, which is the administrator of Russian national top-level domains, is receiving many queries from Russian domain owners due to Namecheap's decision.

"Many Russian users are asking for consultation on transferring domain names registered in other domain zones through foreign registrars to Russian ICANN-accredited registrars," Vorobyev said.

The center recommended that Russian users of domains registered with foreign registrars move them Russian registrars accredited in the relevant top-level domains. The center warned that, besides the risk of foreign registrars terminating services for Russian users, it is highly likely that making payments for extension of domains to foreign registrars will be difficult due to sanctions imposed against Russia.

The center recalled that there was a similar situation in 2014 after Crimea became part of Russia. At the time several foreign registrars refused service to Russian users.