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Alexey Zakharov, who previously headed the Central Federal District branch of the Main Radio Frequency Center (GRFC), has been appointed executive director of Bulat. As Novaya-Europe found, the company produces components for Technical Means of Countering Threats (TMCT).
TMCT is equipment that Roskomnadzor installs on the networks of internet providers. It allows the authorities to slow down specific websites and services, restrict access to them, and filter internet traffic.
Zakharov’s career. In recent years, Zakharov served as deputy CEO for science at NIC Telecom, an organization subordinate to the Ministry of Digital Development. This research center is involved, among other things, in developing Russian solutions for 5G and 6G communications.
Bulat, which is now headed by Zakharov, manufactures components for TMCT and also develops base stations for mobile communications. Previously, 89% of the company belonged to Restrim (a Rostelecom structure), while 11% belonged to Qtech. Shortly before Zakharov’s appointment, Rostelecom created the Technowave holding company to consolidate part of its assets. A full 100% stake in Bulat was transferred to it. The holding was headed by Alexander Loginov, a former Rostelecom vice president and director of its northwestern branch.
Context. The GRFC is an enterprise subordinate to Roskomnadzor that was originally created to oversee the use of radio frequencies. After the adoption of the “sovereign internet” law (90-FZ), a division appeared within the GRFC structure that is responsible for installing and supervising TMCT on providers’ networks.
In addition, the GRFC monitors the internet, prepares reports on negative mentions of Putin, compiles analysis for the Ministry of Justice on potential “foreign agents,” and assesses the level of protest sentiment. In 2025, the European Union imposed sanctions on the GRFC and its former director Ruslan Nesterenko, accusing them of electronic warfare and disrupting GPS signals in the Baltic states.