The Russian authorities announced that they had cut off mobile Internet services for a large number of subscribers in Moscow, ahead of the annual military parade scheduled for May 9 to commemorate World War II, amid security concerns about attacks by Ukrainian drones.
The show this year is smaller compared to previous years, in light of tightening security measures due to increasing air threats.
As part of these measures, Russia tightened restrictions on the use of the mobile Internet, prompting millions of users to rely on VPN networks, in a move that critics considered an attempt to strengthen internal control in light of the continuation of the war that has been going on for more than four years.
The Kremlin said that these restrictions aim to ensure security in the face of the threat of drone attacks, but they have caused widespread disruption to citizens’ payment, transportation, and communication services.
Six Reuters correspondents in different areas of Moscow confirmed that they had lost access to the Internet via their mobile phones, although voice calls remained possible in some neighborhoods.
Russian telecommunications companies warned of the possibility of continued Internet disruptions during the coming period, noting the need to take exceptional security measures.
Sberbank, the largest bank in Russia, also warned that payment and text messaging services might be affected by these restrictions.
In the same context, Yandex said that online taxi ordering services may be subject to disruptions as a result of restrictions imposed on the network.
A site that monitors disruptions in Internet services reported problems in several regions within Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
These developments come in light of the escalation of the war between Russia and Ukraine, as the fronts are witnessing an expansion in the use of long-range drones, targeting military sites and vital infrastructure inside the Russian interior.
