Full Breakdown
Internet Outages in Moscow Spark Speculation of Internal Conflict
3/13/2026, 7:20:24 AM
Surge in Alternative Communication Tools Amid Outages
In early March 2026, Moscow experienced significant internet outages that began on March 3, disrupting mobile internet and voice communication services across the city. The outages were particularly severe in central districts, leading to a 73% increase in pager sales, a 27% rise in radio sales, and a 25% increase in landline phone sales between March 6 and March 10, according to data from the online marketplace Wildberries. The disruptions have severely impacted various sectors, including courier services and retail businesses, with estimated daily economic losses reaching up to $12.5 million. Residents have reverted to using physical maps and guides, with sales of city atlases increasing by 48% during the same period.
Official Justifications for Communication Restrictions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the internet restrictions were implemented for "security" reasons, claiming that Ukraine was employing sophisticated methods for attacks. He emphasized that all shutdowns were conducted in accordance with current legislation, acknowledging the challenges these measures pose for businesses but suggesting that solutions would be proposed to mitigate the impact.
Speculation of Internal Conflict and Coup Rumors
The internet outages coincided with rumors of a potential coup involving Sergei Shoigu, the former defense minister, and his associates. Reports from the VChK-OGPU channel, which claims to have insider access to Russian security services, suggested that the outages were a response to fears of unrest among Shoigu's followers following the arrest of his close associate, former Deputy Defense Minister Ruslan Tsalikov, on corruption charges. Analysts, however, have dismissed these coup rumors as speculative, with experts like Anton Barbashin and Stephen Hall asserting that a coup is unlikely given the current political landscape.
Criticism of the Kremlin's Actions
Critics have expressed concern over the Kremlin's increasing control over communication channels, likening the current situation to previous instances of internet shutdowns during periods of political instability, such as the Wagner Group rebellion in June 2023. Observers note that the thoroughness of the communication restrictions, particularly around key military and law enforcement sites, indicates serious internal conflicts within the Russian power structure.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While the Kremlin maintains that the internet outages are necessary for security, the lack of independent verification regarding the coup rumors raises questions about the accuracy of the reports circulating in Russian media. Furthermore, the absence of public appearances by Shoigu since the onset of the outages has fueled speculation about his standing within the government.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All shutdowns and restrictions on communications are carried out in strict accordance with current legislation,” — Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin Spokesman
- “This is pure BS. If Russian elites wanted (Russian President Vladimir) Putin out, it would have happened in 2022,” — Anton Barbashin, Co-founder of Riddle Russia
- “Opacity does contribute to the speculative nature of commentary on regime change, but in this particular instance, there may be an element of 'wishful thinking,'” — Tomila Lankina, Professor of International Relations
The situation in Moscow remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring of the dynamics within Russia's security establishment as the country grapples with both internal and external pressures.
