(MOSCOW) — The Kremlin has implemented extensive mobile internet outages in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, citing the need to ensure public safety. Residents in the capital have reportedly been without mobile connectivity for two weeks, a disruption that has recently spread to the second largest city. While landline internet services remain operational, the disabling of mobile networks on phones and tablets has caused significant domestic upheaval.
The blackout has prompted a surge in the purchase of obsolete communications hardware. According to purchase orders from the e-commerce firm Wildberries, there has been a significant increase in the acquisition of pagers, radios, landline telephones, and paper maps. Specifically, the turnover for pagers increased by 73 per cent, while radio sales rose by 27 per cent. Russian business daily Kommersant estimated that the economic impact of these restrictions could reach 1,000,000,000 Russian Roubles ($12,515,000) per day.
Observers suggest the measures reflect high levels of paranoia within the administration of the Russian dictator. Rumours of an imminent military coup have circulated, with the internet shutdown drawing comparisons to historical crackdowns in Iran. These fears are exacerbated by recent purges within the military hierarchy.
Ruslan Tsalikov, a former First Deputy Defence Minister and close associate of Sergei Shoigu, was recently arrested on charges of money laundering and embezzlement involving 1,200,000,000 Russian Roubles ($15,018,000). While the official narrative focuses on corruption, analysts suggest such arrests are typically used to eliminate disloyal elements. The Kremlin continues to maintain that the outages will last as long as necessary to maintain security.
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Putin Cuts Internet in Moscow for Fear of Coup Attempt from Military
