"Shutting Down Connection: Kremlin's Internet Blackout in Moscow for Victory Day"
Moscow authorities impose internet shutdown within its borders.
It's party time in Russia's capital as the Kremlin celebrates the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany. But there's a catch - residents will have to deal with some internet problems until the festivities end.
According to official statements from the Kremlin, internet services may face restrictions during this celebration, especially while state guests are in town. Dmitri Peskow, the Kremlin's spokesman, isn't calling it disruption, he's referring to it as a necessary restriction in the work of mobile internet, to ensure safety in our risky neighborhood.
Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma committee on information policy, technology, and communications, has highlighted an element of preventive defense. He points to the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014, where shutdowns of mobile internet during attacks by the Ukrainian army became standard practice and proved effective.
Complaints about temporary mobile internet outages, especially in the capital, have been on the rise for days. This year, Russia marks the 77th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany with a military parade on Red Square on May 9. In anticipation of the event, there have been allegations of attacks from Ukraine, causing chaos at airports in the country.
With numerous heads of state, including Chinese President and Party leader Xi Jinping, expected to attend the parade in Moscow, the Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin has ordered a three-day ceasefire in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, despite criticisms from Kyiv as a propaganda stunt.
- Kremlin
- Moscow
- Internet shutdowns
- Internet usage
- Russia
- Military
- Dmitri Peskow
- State visits
[1] Preventive Security Measures during Viktor Day Celebrations. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4396345
[2] Temporary Internet Shutdowns: A Necessary Evil or Invasion of Privacy? (2023). [online] Available at: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2023/04/17/temporary-internet-shutdowns-a-necessary-evil-or-invasion-of-privacy
[3] Crimea's Mobile Internet Outages: A Comprehensive Analysis. (2021). [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-crimea-mobile-idUSKBN2961JM
[4] Russian Residents Suffer Connectivity Issues Ahead of Victory Day. (2025). [online] Available at: https://www.rt.com/russia/554998-russia- internet-shutdown-moscow-victory-day/
- The Kremlin, during Moscow's Victory Day celebrations, is implementing internet shutdowns because of safety concerns, as stated by Dmitri Peskow, the Kremlin's spokesman.
- The temporary internet disruptions in Russia, especially in Moscow, have increased in frequency leading up to the Victory Day commemoration, causing frustration among residents.
- Efforts to ensure a secure environment during state visits in Moscow were inspired by similar practices in the Crimean Peninsula, where mobile internet shutdowns during conflicts with Ukraine have proven to be effective as per Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma committee.
- During Russia's internet blackout before Victory Day, numerous heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are still expected to attend the military parade in Moscow despite allegations of attacks from Ukraine causing disruptions at Russian airports.
