Kremlin confirms indefinite internet restrictions in Moscow and 62 Russian regions
The Kremlin has officially confirmed that internet disruptions affecting dozens of Russian regions, including the capital, will continue indefinitely. Presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Wednesday that these restrictions are "strictly in accordance with the law."
Peskov emphasized that the measures would remain in place "as long as additional steps are necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens." He framed the digital crackdown as a technological response to increasingly sophisticated methods of attack attributed to the Kyiv regime.
The economic fallout is becoming severe. Business leaders report operational paralysis and payment failures, with daily losses in Moscow alone estimated at 1 billion rubles, or approximately €10M.
Peskov noted that these financial concerns "must become a subject of discussion within the responsible institutions." However, he reiterated that systemic safety measures remain the government's absolute priority over commercial interests.
According to data from the "Na Svyazi" monitoring project, mobile internet restrictions are now active in 62 Russian regions. In 58 federal subjects, authorities have implemented "whitelists," allowing access only to state-approved websites.
Since March, parts of Moscow have experienced total mobile internet blackouts. Experts cited by Kommersant estimate that the capital has suffered between €30M and €50M in damages over just five days of connectivity issues.
The broader impact on the national economy is staggering. Previous analysis by Top10VPN suggests that in 2025, the Russian economy lost approximately 1 trillion rubles due to internet throttling, social media blocks, and systemic digital restrictions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
