Widespread communication disruptions across various parts of Russia signal a rapid rollback of openness in the national internet. Regional outages—from Ulyanovsk to Kaluga and Yekaterinburg—affect not only mobile but also fixed-line internet. In several regions, including Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Vladimir, and Murmansk, the problems have become widespread. Similar complaints have been reported from the Volga region, the Urals, and Siberia. The restrictions often follow the model described in the “sovereign Runet” law, where users have access only to a limited list of websites.
At the same time, the state is tightening control over infrastructure. Roskomnadzor has gained the authority to centrally manage the national segment of the network, and amendments to the “Communications” law oblige operators to suspend services at the request of security agencies. Additional restrictions have also been introduced regarding SIM cards: they can be deactivated for 24 hours when crossing the border.
Privacy risks are increasing. Smart devices accumulate data that reaches not only law enforcement. State agencies advise avoiding discussions of private topics near voice assistants, while lawmakers are proposing fines for logging in via foreign messengers.
The deterioration of connection quality already has practical consequences: families of children with diabetes report that they cannot remotely monitor glucose levels. In some areas of the Krasnoyarsk region, the prosecutor’s office even demanded support for payphones—the only available communication channel.
Experts predict that within the coming years, Russia could become almost completely isolated from the global network, making the digital sphere yet another domain of new separation from the world.
