Oct 02, 2025 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
The Russian telco Rostelecom this week said it is beginning construction of a new data center for the PhosAgro Group at the Volkhov branch of PhosAgro subsidiary Apatit JSC. A groundbreaking ceremony has taken place, and construction is expected to be completed by 2026.
Denis Novikov, general director of JSC Apatit, said: "PhosAgro is implementing an extensive import substitution program for software and IT infrastructure. Our company is the leader in the Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Center for the number of significant projects implemented, and one of the leaders in the Russian economy in the import substitution of foreign software and IT infrastructure.”
“Furthermore, the company is transforming its use of artificial intelligence with the goal of integrating analytical and generative AI into all production and corporate business processes. All of this will require additional computing and data storage capacity, so we are starting to build it today," he added.
Valery Ermakov, deputy president and chairman of Rostelecom's board, said: "This is a strategically important project for Rostelecom. It combines our expertise in data center construction, telecommunications, and service maintenance. We're not just building a facility—we're creating a technological ecosystem in this key region that will allow PhosAgro to securely and effectively implement its digital initiatives.”
