.su domain extension

The .su domain is a country-code top-level domain originally assigned to the Soviet Union. It is managed by the Russian Institute for Development of Public Networks, known as ROSNIIROS. Even though the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, .su remains active and open for registration. There are no strict geographic restrictions for registrants, though the domain has a historical connection to the former Soviet states. Many businesses and individuals in Russia and neighboring countries still use .su alongside newer TLDs. The registry is operated by the Technical Center of Internet in Moscow. A significant event in .su's history occurred in 2023 when ICANN considered phasing it out, but the Russian government and local internet groups fought to keep it operational. The domain continues to see steady use today.

The .su domain was registered on September 19, 1990. This was before the Soviet Union's collapse. After the dissolution, .su remained in use despite the emergence of .ru for Russia and other ccTLDs for former republics. In the early 2000s, discussions arose about retiring the domain. However, proponents argued it represented a piece of internet history and a shared legacy. By 2008, new registrations were still allowed. In 2023, ICANN proposed a timeline to phase out .su due to its obsolete status, but strong opposition from Russian authorities and the local internet community led to a delay. The domain remains delegated and operational as of the latest IANA update in April 2026.