Mobile internet to be shut down for Moscow residents on New Year’s Eve
Russian authorities are considering the introduction of strict restrictions on mobile internet service in Moscow during the New Year holidays.
This is reported by The Moscow Times.
Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Andrey Svintsov said that such measures are necessary to counter regular attacks by Ukrainian drones, which are increasingly reaching the Russian capital. The lawmaker emphasized that network shutdowns could occur at any moment, regardless of holiday celebrations, and would last as long as the so-called “special military operation” continues. Earlier, the authorities of St. Petersburg had officially announced similar plans to restrict communications on New Year’s Eve, indicating the Kremlin’s systemic fear of the vulnerability of its own air defense and electronic warfare systems.
Russian officials are trying to reassure citizens by suggesting they use Wi-Fi to send holiday greetings, but at the same time acknowledge that the stability of foreign video services and social networks remains in question due to constant blocking by Roskomnadzor. Svintsov expressed hope that during the holidays the agency would stop “throttling” services so Russians could communicate normally, although the practice of recent months suggests otherwise. Shutting down mobile internet in Russia’s megacities effectively paralyzes navigation systems and taxi services, which, amid mass holiday events, could lead to transport collapse. Such steps demonstrate that the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine is increasingly destroying the everyday life of residents even in Russian cities far removed from the front line.
The situation with communication restrictions in Russia, against the backdrop of successful strikes by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces on oil depots and military facilities in the Samara, Saratov, and Moscow regions, is becoming a new reality for the aggressor. Russian media are increasingly reporting disruptions in GPS operation and mobile data transmission, which the military uses to interfere with Ukrainian drones, although these measures often prove ineffective. While Ukrainians are recovering from massive missile strikes on energy infrastructure, Moscow residents are forced to prepare for the holidays in conditions of digital isolation and anticipation of new air raid alerts. Ukrainian officials have not yet commented on the statements of Russian lawmakers, continuing systematic efforts to destroy the enemy’s military potential on its own territory.
Meanwhile, discussions are underway in Russia about introducing a unified internet ID for users.
The authorities of occupied Crimea have decided to restrict mobile internet until the end of the war.
