Moscow Internet Blackouts Spark Fears of Kremlin Censorship Plan
Muscovites are increasingly turning to walkie-talkies and pagers as unexplained internet disruptions plague the capital, raising alarms about the Kremlin's escalating control over online activity in Russia. Users in central Moscow and St Petersburg first reported mobile internet difficulties about a week ago, with many unable to load websites or apps, and some losing service entirely, including phone calls.
Security Claims and Whitelist Testing
The Kremlin has stated that the outages are being implemented to "ensure security" and will remain "as long as additional measures are necessary", though no detailed reasons have been provided. Human rights activists suspect the shutdowns may be linked to testing a new "whitelist" system, which would restrict access to only government-approved websites and essential services like marketplaces, delivery platforms, and online pharmacies. Observers warn this system could dramatically censor Russians' access to the wider web.
Economic and Parliamentary Impact
The disruptions have severely impacted courier services, taxi apps, and retail businesses, with Russia's business daily Kommersant estimating daily losses in Moscow could reach about 1 billion rubles ($12.6 million). Even the State Duma, Russia's parliament, has been affected, with lawmakers complaining on Thursday that mobile networks and wifi were non-functional inside the building, effectively cutting them off from the outside world.
Shift to Older Communication Methods
In response to the outages, many Russians are reverting to older technologies. Data from the e-commerce platform Wildberries & Russ, cited by Russian media, shows sales of walkie-talkies have risen by 27%, while pagers used for client and staff communication have increased by 73%. Demand for paper maps of Moscow has nearly tripled, highlighting the widespread inconvenience.
Broader Crackdown on Online Space
This shutdown occurs amid a renewed crackdown on Russia's digital landscape. Authorities have already blocked platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube, and rumours suggest the popular messaging app Telegram could face restrictions as early as next month. Additionally, a Russian lawmaker indicated that security services might gain the ability to limit VPN traffic within six months, potentially closing one of the last avenues for accessing blocked websites. Simultaneously, officials are promoting a state-backed "super-app" called Max, modelled on China's WeChat, which is widely believed to be controlled by Russia's security services.
Historical Context and Expert Skepticism
Internet shutdowns have become more frequent in Russia since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the country ranking first globally for internet disruptions in 2025, according to research group Top10VPN. Russian officials have previously claimed such measures are aimed at thwarting Ukrainian drone attacks, but experts argue these tactics are unlikely to be effective, suggesting ulterior motives for increased control.
