Frustrations are mounting across Russia as widespread cellphone internet outages continue to disrupt daily life, with many residents attributing these disruptions to increased government control over the internet.
According to multiple reports from various regions in Russia, mobile internet networks have been experiencing significant outages since November 15. In some areas, such as Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Vladimir, and Murmansk, residents have gone without internet for nearly a day, with only whitelisted links remaining accessible.
Government’s Role in Internet Control
The Kremlin has defended these outages, stating that they are necessary to prevent drone attacks. However, critics argue that the timing and extent of these disruptions suggest a broader effort by the government to tighten its grip on internet access.
Russian citizens have been particularly affected in their daily routines. Simple tasks such as ordering rides or groceries, paying with debit cards, and finding driving directions are becoming increasingly difficult due to the lack of mobile internet connectivity.
Impact on Daily Life
The outages extend beyond personal convenience; they also affect critical services like public transportation and health monitoring. This has led many Russians to question the government’s motives behind these disruptions, with some viewing 2025 as a pivotal year in which internet freedom is being severely curtailed.