(MOSCOW) – At least 600,000 residents in Moscow and surrounding areas were left without electricity and mobile internet as 2025 ended, highlighting growing infrastructure challenges within the Russian Federation. Reports indicate that the outages affected popular residential districts and disrupted daily life for residents and businesses alike.
Local authorities cited unspecified technical malfunctions as the cause of the electricity interruptions, although independent reports suggest broader systemic issues across the capital and other regions. Mobile internet services were also suspended, limiting the ability of residents to access information or communicate during the outage.
In 2025, Russian authorities reportedly disabled mobile internet across the country on approximately 12,000 occasions. Analysts suggest these interruptions were aimed at controlling the flow of information and concealing economic and social difficulties, rather than for security or defence purposes.
Telegram channels and social media posts from residents indicate that the outages have affected both urban centres and surrounding villages. Prices for essential commodities such as fuel have risen steadily, while withdrawals from major banks, including Zerbank, indicate public concern over the stability of the financial system.
The ongoing disruptions have affected airports and transportation hubs, with closures causing delays and operational challenges. Observers note that the inability to protect critical infrastructure from technological disruptions points to vulnerabilities in the Russian security and energy systems.
Ukraine has maintained that its own military operations are focused on defence and infrastructure targets, while Russian authorities continue to prioritise domestic security measures. Analysts report that energy and communication outages in Russian cities underscore the wider social and economic pressures facing the country.
Electricity and internet interruptions have become a common occurrence in the Russian Federation, and residents are reportedly struggling to adapt. In contrast, Ukrainians have relied on scheduled outages, generators, and backup systems to maintain continuity of essential services during years of conflict.
Experts say the outages also reflect the broader consequences of Russia’s military engagement abroad and ongoing internal management challenges. Public dissatisfaction and regional protests related to taxation, economic policies, and social conditions have been widely reported, further intensifying pressure on local authorities.
