Russia has introduced restrictions on internet access and SMS sending for foreign SIM cards. This was initially reported on October 6 by the Telegram channel "Nu che, narod, pognali!" and Mobile Research analyst Eldar Murtazin. Later, this information was confirmed by the Ministry of Communications of Belarus and the Kazakh operator Tele2.
According to the statement from the Belarusian regulator, citing mobile operators, "regulatory restrictions" on communication services in Russia began to take effect from October 6. The message from the Ministry of Communications of Belarus stated: "Russian telecom operators are introducing a mandatory 24-hour blocking of data transmission and SMS services for all subscribers in roaming, registering in the networks of Russian telecom operators."
After a 24-hour stay in the country, SIM cards are unblocked. However, if the subscriber does not use communication services within the next three days, the blocking resumes, as explained by the Belarusian authority.
Belarusian operators—MTS, Life:), and A1—also reported on the new restrictions. A1 noted that they were not notified in advance about the upcoming changes in the operation of Russian networks.
Kazakhstan's Tele2 recommended that customers not switch to roaming with other operators, as this would restart the 24-hour blocking period.
The "Na svyazi" project stated that the decision of the Russian regulator should be formalized in an official document. However, the publication did not find such a document, and there were no references to it in the messages from operators and the Ministry of Communications of Belarus.
The Telegram channel "Nu che, narod, pognali!" and analyst Murtazin reported on the restrictions as early as October 6. According to the channel, the first case was recorded on the night of October 6. Murtazin clarified that similar problems were first discovered last week in frontline regions.
The channel wrote: "It is likely that not individual operators are being blocked, but all data roaming on cards issued abroad. At the same time, mobile calls and SMS continue to work as usual."
Telecom service Unisim confirmed the problem to the publication Rozetked. A source of the journalists later suggested that the blockages are related to a "cooling-off period" that Russia planned to introduce for foreign SIM cards due to their potential use in combat drones.