Cloud.ru may build its first data center for 30 billion rubles amid demand for AI services

Cloud.ru could transition from rented and partner infrastructure to its own: the company is considering building its first data center in Russia, valued at approximately 30 billion rubles. In April 2026, the provider is already in negotiations with contractors, and rapid growth in AI-related services has become the main driver for this decision.

First step toward infrastructure

Cloud.ru, which was previously part of Sberbank's ecosystem, is discussing the launch of its own first data center. For a cloud provider, this is a strategic pivot: instead of relying solely on external facilities, the company wants to gain a physical foundation for its key services.

In essence, this is not just a construction project, but an attempt to secure control over computing resources at a moment when the Russian market is becoming increasingly dependent on local clouds, data storage, and infrastructure for AI workloads. The 30 billion ruble valuation of the project indicates that the initiative is a major capital investment, not a minor expansion. While the company is still considering construction rather than announcing a launch, the fact that negotiations with contractors are underway in April 2026 suggests that the discussion has moved beyond a general idea.

At this stage, the business typically has already calculated the economics, site requirements, power supply, cooling, and timelines for capacity deployment.

Why demand is growing

The key argument for owning its own facility is Cloud.ru's business dynamics. Based on 2025 results, the company's revenue grew by about a third, with more than half of income coming from online services related to artificial intelligence. This is an important signal: for the provider, AI is no longer an additional area but one of the main sources of demand. When such services begin to account for a significant share of revenue, infrastructure load becomes less predictable and far more resource-intensive.

• Cloud.ru's revenue in 2025 grew approximately 33%
• more than half of income came from online services related to AI
• in April 2026, the company is already discussing construction with contractors
• the company is considering its first own data center in Russia

For a cloud business, its own facility can address several problems at once. First, it's a matter of capacity: AI services require increasingly more computing power, especially if it involves training, fine-tuning, or large-scale deployment of models for customers. Second, it's a matter of margin: with growing demand, owning part of the infrastructure could eventually prove more profitable than constant dependence on third-party resources. Finally, a company's own facility is easier to customize to meet corporate and government customers' data placement requirements.

Why own a data center

If the project gets the green light, Cloud.ru will be able to gain deeper control over the quality and economics of its services. For customers, this typically means more predictable scaling, less dependence on third-party expansion schedules, and greater certainty regarding resource availability.

For the company itself, it's a chance to integrate cloud services, AI platforms, and specialized computing clusters in one system, without waiting for the market to provide free capacity at the right moment. There is also a broader context: the cloud market is increasingly intertwined with the AI market. Those who sell AI services are actually competing not only on model quality or interface, but on access to hardware, network, cooling, and electricity.

Therefore, a company's own data center is not just an image story, but an attempt to secure a fundamental resource for further growth. Especially in a segment where demand can increase sharply after launching new products or connecting major corporate customers.

What this means

The Cloud.ru story shows that AI services in Russia are already limited not just by models and software, but by physical infrastructure. If the company really proceeds with construction, it will signal to the market: the next stage of competition between cloud providers will revolve around owning infrastructure, supply stability, and control over the computing base.