Story perspectives

Moscow's Internet Disruptions Force Citizens Back to Walkie-Talkies

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Muscovites increasingly rely on walkie-talkies and pagers amid significant internet disruptions in Moscow.
The Kremlin tightens online controls and users report mobile-internet outages affecting taxi apps.
The Kremlin says outages are for security reasons, but details remain vague.
Internet shutdowns have surged since the invasion of Ukraine, with losses in Moscow estimated at 1 billion roubles daily, and authorities have blocked WhatsApp and Facebook, with Telegram restrictions looming next month.

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Story summary

Muscovites increasingly rely on walkie-talkies and pagers amid significant internet disruptions in Moscow.
The Kremlin tightens online controls and users report mobile-internet outages affecting taxi apps.
The Kremlin says outages are for security reasons, but details remain vague.
Internet shutdowns have surged since the invasion of Ukraine, with losses in Moscow estimated at 1 billion roubles daily, and authorities have blocked WhatsApp and Facebook, with Telegram restrictions looming next month.