Russia Unveils “Irtysh” Processors for Data Centers, Questions Arise Over Origin
Moscow has recently introduced the “Irtysh” processor, positioning it as a key step towards technological independence amid ongoing sanctions. Designed for data center applications, the chip is being presented as a domestically produced alternative to Western processors. Even though, scrutiny of the processor’s specifications has led to questions about its true origins, with evidence suggesting it may be based on Chinese technology.
The unveiling of the Irtysh comes as Russia continues to navigate the impact of international sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine, which have restricted access to advanced technologies, including semiconductors. The Russian government has prioritized bolstering domestic tech production to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. This new processor aims to address that need, but its authenticity is now under examination.
The company behind the Irtysh processor, known as “DV Prom,” was founded just eleven months before the processor’s debut, raising concerns within the tech community. DV Prom showcased both 16-core (Irtysh C616) and 32-core (Irtysh C632) versions of the processor, featuring Cyrillic branding intended for the domestic market. However, technical specifications reveal striking similarities to the Loongson 3A4000 processor manufactured by Chinese company Loongson Technology, as reported by World Today Journal.
On March 19, 2026, Hi-Square announced it was the first in Russia to test the “Irtysh C632” server processor, one of the new domestic chips for corporate systems. Testing showed the processor is ready for real-world business applications. The test was conducted using a full technology stack including a Russian OS, database, and development platform, simultaneously handling over 20,000 users.
During testing, the “Irtysh” processor demonstrated response times of 10–20 milliseconds, and a throughput of up to 2000 requests per second per server. This performance is attributed to the processor’s architecture, which is built on LoongArch and operates without emulation or virtualization layers. The “Irtysh C632” is designed for employ in data centers, banks, the public sector, and industry, where stability and control over technology are critical.
Tramplin Electronics claims to have obtained the 16-core and 32-core Irtysh processors for use in sovereign data centers and high-performance computing (HPC) applications, according to MSN. Developers are already comparing a more powerful version, the “Irtysh C664”, with solutions like the Intel Xeon Platinum 8380 and AMD Zen 3 architectures.
The development of the Irtysh processor highlights Russia’s increasing reliance on alternative technology sources and the challenges it faces in building a self-sufficient tech industry. The move underscores the broader global trend of nations seeking to secure their supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign technology.
