Internet blackouts and Telegram blocks disrupt millions of Russians

Russian authorities have been blocking mobile internet and Telegram for several months, citing drone threats and fraud protection. Roskomnadzor also attempted to ban all VPN services in Russia, though the effort largely failed. Meduza is collecting reader accounts of how these restrictions have changed daily digital habits.

For several months now, millions of Russians have been living under a regime of internet disruptions and communication blackouts that have fundamentally altered everyday digital life. Since early spring, Russian authorities have been conducting mass shutdowns of mobile internet access and blocking the Telegram messaging app across various regions.

## Authorities cite drones and fraud

Officials have justified the restrictions by claiming they are necessary to protect Russian citizens — both from Ukrainian drone attacks, which authorities say rely on real-time communications, and from online fraudsters. Critics, however, have questioned whether these explanations hold up to scrutiny, and many Russians see the measures as part of a broader effort to control information flows.

In addition to the Telegram blocks and mobile internet shutdowns, Russia's internet regulator Roskomnadzor launched a sweeping campaign to cut off access to VPN services — tools widely used by Russians to bypass censorship and access blocked websites. The attempt was largely unsuccessful, and most functional VPN services continue to operate inside Russia, allowing users to circumvent the restrictions.

## Meduza collects reader stories

Independent Russian media outlet Meduza has been soliciting testimonies from readers about how months of internet disruptions have changed their daily routines, work habits, and communication patterns. The outlet is particularly interested in whether Russians have found workarounds, abandoned certain platforms, or changed their news consumption behavior in response to the ongoing restrictions.

The situation highlights the growing tension between Russian authorities' desire for tighter control over digital infrastructure and the practical reality that determined users can still find ways around most blocks. Whether the Kremlin will escalate its technical measures or pursue other means of restricting access remains an open question for millions of Russians navigating an increasingly fragmented internet.