A U.S.-based Internet provider is cutting off service to Russia

Cogent Communications, a U.S.-based internet service provider, will reportedly begin cutting off services to Russian clients.

David Schaeffer, Cogent's CEO, told The Washington Post that the company wanted to prevent the Russian government from using its network for cyberattacks and spreading propaganda, but doesn't want to cut off normal Russian citizens.

D.C.-based Cogent is a provider of Internet backbone, or data routes between interconnected computer networks. Cogent's networks carry about 25% of internet traffic globally, Schaeffer told the Washington Post. The company provides services in more than 200 markets throughout 50 countries, and is one of the largest providers in Russia. Rostelecom, a Russia state-run telecommunications company, is one of Cogent's clients.

Schaeffer told The Post the move is to not "empower the Russian government to have another tool in their war chest.” The company began cutting off its Russian clients gradually starting at noon eastern time on Friday.

Cogent said in a statement that it is complying with EU regulations with respect to "the blocking of certain media."

"Cogent is not otherwise restricting or blocking traffic originating from or destined for Russia," the company said in a statement. "Cogent continues to provide services to Ukraine."

This story was updated to include a statement from Cogent.