In Moscow, access to mobile internet will be temporarily restricted on May 9, including the “whitelist” of websites and SMS messages. This was reported by Russia’s Digital Development Ministry.
The ministry said that on May 7–8, communications and internet access are expected to remain available as normal. At the same time, it added that “rapid restrictions” could be introduced in the event of security threats.
Restrictions will extend beyond Moscow
Large-scale communication restrictions tied to the May 9 celebrations are being prepared in more than twenty Russian regions. Banks, telecom operators, and online services have already warned users about possible disruptions.
Context
A day earlier, it became known that part of the powers of the Digital Development Ministry would officially be transferred to the FSB. The ministry itself is to undergo a reorganization that is expected to involve mass layoffs. According to available information, at least two deputy ministers are expected to leave the ministry.
Earlier, The Bell reported that since at least the summer of 2025, internet blocks in the Russian internet space and efforts against VPNs have been overseen by the FSB’s Second Service, which was also linked to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny and Vladimir Kara-Murza.
“Sedov [the head of the Second Service] allegedly promised Putin he would bring order to the internet, and received carte blanche,” one of the journalists’ sources said.