Russia imposes mobile internet and SMS restrictions across 38 regions and two cities
Updated
Updated · The Moscow Times · May 9
Russia imposes mobile internet and SMS restrictions across 38 regions and two cities
15 articles · Updated · The Moscow Times · May 9
The curbs run from May 5 to May 9 in Moscow and St Petersburg, with residents reporting failures in taxis, vending machines, some ATMs and even whitelisted sites.
The Digital Development Ministry said the measures would reduce Ukrainian drone guidance accuracy, while monitoring data also showed wider disruption, including more than 2,000 home internet complaints in Moscow region on May 2.
Experts say the holiday period may be used to test broader whitelist controls for wired and Wi-Fi access, extending a pattern of recurring shutdowns and tighter state control over Russia's internet.
As Russia's internet goes dark, what is the true cost to its own economy and people?
Is Russia using the war on drones as a cover to perfect its digital iron curtain?
May 2026 Internet Shutdowns in Russia: Widespread Disruption, State Control, and Societal Consequences
Overview
In early May 2026, Russia faced widespread internet and operational disruptions, especially in Moscow and St. Petersburg. On May 2, Moscow’s home internet problems were officially blamed on power supply issues at a key telephone station, but data showed little change in overall internet traffic, suggesting only minor impacts for major providers. Meanwhile, existing mobile internet restrictions and official denials of planned shutdowns created confusion. These events highlight a pattern of increasing digital control, where technical issues and official statements mask broader efforts to restrict access and manage information, deeply affecting daily life and trust in digital services.