Internet Blackouts in Moscow Prompt Shift to Traditional Communication

Residents of Moscow have recently experienced significant disruptions to internet services, prompting many to revert to traditional communication methods such as walkie-talkies and pagers. Reports indicate that users in central Moscow and St. Petersburg began facing difficulties accessing mobile internet approximately one week ago. Many individuals have struggled to load websites or applications, with some losing service entirely, which has hindered their ability to make phone calls. The Kremlin has attributed these outages to security measures, stating they will remain in effect “as long as additional measures are necessary,” although no further details have been provided regarding the rationale behind these restrictions.

The Guardian

The internet outages have had a profound impact on daily life in Moscow, particularly affecting services such as taxi apps, courier services, and retail businesses. Dmitry, a 31-year-old consultant, described the situation as a “massive headache,” noting difficulties in ordering taxis, sending work emails, and communicating with family. The business daily Kommersant estimated that the financial losses from the internet shutdown in Moscow could reach approximately 1 billion roubles (£9.4 million) per day. The disruptions have also affected the State Duma, where lawmakers reported that mobile networks and Wi-Fi were non-functional, isolating them from external communication.

The Guardian

In response to the internet blackouts, there has been a notable increase in the demand for older communication tools. Sales of walkie-talkies surged by 27%, while the use of pagers—previously considered obsolete—rose by 73%. Additionally, the demand for paper maps of Moscow has nearly tripled, reflecting a significant shift in how residents are navigating their daily lives amidst the internet disruptions.

The Guardian

Internet shutdowns have become increasingly prevalent in Russia, particularly following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In 2025, Russia ranked first globally for the number of internet disruptions, according to estimates from the research group Top10VPN. While officials have claimed that these shutdowns are intended to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, experts argue that such measures are unlikely to be effective.

The Guardian

Authorities have already implemented blocks on major platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube. There are growing concerns that the popular messaging app Telegram may face restrictions as early as next month, further limiting communication options for residents.

The Guardian

The recent internet blackouts in Moscow highlight the Kremlin's increasing control over online activity and the significant impact on daily life and business operations. As residents adapt to these disruptions, the reliance on traditional communication methods underscores the challenges posed by the evolving digital landscape in Russia.

The Guardian