The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has challenged all spheres of life, including the education system. In March 2020, Belgorod State National Research University (NRU “BelGU”), like many other universities in the Russian Federation, switched to distance learning. Internal online courses were used to organize the learning process, as well as elements for synchronous classes in the form of videoconferences. Classes in such study groups are organized in a combined learning mode (in the classroom - for full-time students, and videoconferences are used for part-time students). This way of organizing the educational process was used in NRU “BelSU” long before the pandemic. It allows students who are forced to study remotely to participate in the educational process with the “effect of real presence”. The article presents the results of the research aimed at identifying the readiness of the educational environment of NRU “BelSU” for blended learning. The study showed that the forced transition to the distance format became a catalyst for the development of the information and educational environment of the university and increased the level of readiness of the teaching staff to use digital educational technologies in the educational process.