In Russia, on the eve of Victory Day, residents of Moscow and Saint Petersburg experienced widespread disruptions in mobile communications and internet access, which the authorities explain as “security considerations” due to holiday events.
The Center for Countering Disinformation under the National Security and Defense Council reported this on Telegram.
“On the eve of Victory Day, mobile internet was turned off in Moscow and Saint Petersburg,” the statement said.
It is noted that residents of the largest Russian cities are massively complaining about the lack of communication, the inaccessibility of even censored websites from “white lists,” disruptions in online services — including banking — and even the inability to send SMS messages.
“The authorities of the Russian Federation traditionally explain these restrictions by ‘security purposes’ and preparations for holiday events, including a parade on Red Square with the participation of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin,” the Center reported.
The Center for Countering Disinformation emphasized that mass communication restrictions and Putin’s declared “holiday” ceasefire once again demonstrate that, despite all efforts of Russian propaganda, the Kremlin is in fact unable to protect major Russian cities during events it considers “sacred.”
“Moreover, the Kremlin is using the ‘Victory Parade’ as a pretext to tighten control even further and strengthen a digital ‘iron curtain’,” the Center stressed.
