Frustrations grow in Russia over cellphone internet outages that disrupt daily life

In 2025, many Russians may reflect on a year marked by heightened government control over internet access, leading to significant daily challenges. Public transport systems that refuse credit card payments, ATMs failing to connect, and messaging apps experiencing outages have become common grievances. Particularly alarming are reports from parents of diabetic children, who express distress over their inability to monitor their children’s blood glucose levels during these connectivity disruptions. The cellphone internet outages, officially attributed to efforts to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks, have persisted for months across numerous regions in Russia. While broadband and Wi-Fi services remain functional, residents have voiced their frustrations regarding the limitations on their mobile connectivity. Activist group Na Svyazi reports that, on average, 57 regions experienced daily disruptions in November alone. Government officials maintain that these interruptions are necessary to thwart Ukrainian operations. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has defended the measures as 'absolutely justified and necessary.' However, analysts like Kateryna Stepanenko from the Institute for the Study of War argue that these outages have not effectively reduced the frequency of drone strikes on Russian targets, including oil refineries. During these outages, only a limited selection of government-approved websites and services remain available, often referred to as “white lists.” These lists vary by provider and typically include official sites, email services, and the Russian search engine Yandex. Some users, like Marina from Vladivostok, express anxiety about the implications of being restricted to a single app for banking during these outages, highlighting concerns over a loss of freedom and information. Residents in cities like Ulyanovsk have shared troubling experiences, such as failed credit card transactions on public transportation due to internet issues. Families with diabetic children are particularly affected, as they rely on specialized apps to monitor glucose levels, which become inaccessible during disruptions. In a controversial attempt to promote a technology-free lifestyle, the internet regulatory agency Roskomnadzor shared a cartoon suggesting that disconnecting can help individuals reconnect with themselves. This post was met with backlash from many users who found it tone-deaf to the real challenges they face. New regulations have introduced 24-hour “cooling periods” during which data and texts are blocked on SIM cards that have been inactive or used abroad. The complications from these measures can lead to significant issues, as noted by lawmaker Andrei Svintsov, who raised concerns about the impact on essential services that rely on SIM card technology. Additionally, popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram have faced increasing restrictions, with authorities targeting communication platforms to combat phone scams. Many users have reported significant disruptions to their work and personal communications as a result. Critics fear that the government is pushing citizens toward using the state-controlled messaging service MAX, which is mandated to be preinstalled on smartphones and is suspected of facilitating surveillance. Despite MAX's promotion, many users remain hesitant to adopt it due to privacy concerns. Public sentiment indicates a growing resignation to these restrictions, with many Russians feeling powerless to change their circumstances. Experts suggest that the government's strategy aims to make it increasingly difficult for users to access alternative content, potentially leading to a more compliant population. As digital connectivity continues to be strained, activists warn that further restrictions may be on the horizon, threatening not just communications but also economic activities reliant on the internet. Mikhail Klimarev from the Internet Protection Society cautions that the government's tightening grip on online resources could soon extend to additional platforms and services, leaving citizens in a precarious digital landscape.