The article clearly demonstrates the current state of Russian data diplomacy and reveals the features of its formation in 2010–2021. Data diplomacy includes the use by the state of artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics (Big Data) and other technological innovations to project influence on foreign audiences, block objectionable information on the Internet, and resolve other foreign policy problems. The first part of the study examines the stages of the development of digital diplomacy as an instrument of Russia’s foreign policy influence and analyzes the first steps of official Moscow to integrate Big Data into its diplomacy. The paper defines the existing concepts, methodological framework and successful cases of Russian Internet diplomacy. The next section identifies the trends, directions and projects of contemporary Russian diplomacy, as well as forecasts its further development. The authors state the interest of the Russian leadership in the development of data diplomacy as an analytical track of foreign policy forecasting and a set of means for integrating new tools into diplomatic activity. The findings of the study can be used in the practical aspect of the further development of Russian diplomacy and in the scientific aspect of studying its role in domestic foreign policy.