Russia is under a nationwide mobile internet blackout as authorities tighten restrictions on online activities. The move comes amid concerns over Ukrainian drones, but some residents are questioning the government’s motives.
The blackouts have disrupted daily life for millions of Moscow residents, forcing them to rely on cash and making it difficult to stay in touch with loved ones. Businesses, including courier services and taxis, have also been severely affected.
The Kremlin claims the outages are necessary to ensure citizen safety due to Ukraine’s use of sophisticated attack methods. However, some residents suspect that the blackouts may be part of a broader plan to restrict online access and surveillance.
The government has released a list of approved websites, but critics argue this is just a veneer for more comprehensive control over the internet. As one resident said, “We feel powerless and unable to influence it. We expect a complete blackout within six months.”
Moscow residents have reported difficulties loading videos and accessing certain websites on Telegram, with some turning to virtual private networks to circumvent the restrictions. The outages have resulted in significant economic losses for businesses, estimated at $37 million to $62 million.
The Kremlin has denied allegations of deliberately restricting internet access, but concerns about the government’s motives continue to grow. As one resident noted, “I didn’t realize there was no internet, and my relatives thought something had happened to me.”
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/world/russia/russia-moscow-internet-outages-putin-ukraine-drones-crackdown-fears-rcna263634