Moscow Currently Unavailable Due to Perceived Justifiable Causes (According to Peskov)
Get ready, Moscowites! Prepare for some internet troubles until the weekend, as the Kremlin goes dark. With the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany looming on the horizon, some state guests are expected, and the city's digital landscape is taking a hit for safety reasons.
Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin's official spokesman, revealed that there might be restrictions to the web during the celebrations, as Moscow plays host to the 80th anniversary milestone. Complaints about mobile internet outages in the capital have been spiking for days, with a growing worry that the city's digital infrastructure is about to take a hit.
"This ain't a glitch," Peskov told Russian agencies. "This is a temporary internet ban - for sensible reasons." He added that we need to be mindful of our "crazy neighbor"'s potential mischief.
The looming potential for attacks from Ukraine's forces has experts on edge. Duma deputy Anton Nemkin mentioned an element of proactive defense and pointed to the Crimean Peninsula, where Ukraine's army has targeted mobile internet during its attacks in the past, with noticeable results.
With the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazism to be commemorated on May 9th, Moscow will host a grand military parade on Red Square. Ukraine has reportedly targeted numerous Russian sites in the run-up to the celebrations, with Drone attacks causing turmoil at airports across the country.
Numerous heads of state, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, are scheduled to attend the Moscow festivities. Amid the celebrations, Vladimir Putin has declared a three-day ceasefire in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, which has been waging for over three years. Kyiv has criticized this as mere theatricality.
Source: ntv.de, mpa/dpa
- Kremlin
- Moscow
- Internet shutdowns
- Internet usage
- Russia
- Military
- Dmitri Peskov
- State visits
Enrichment Data:While the shutdowns primarily serve as a security measure during the high-profile events attended by foreign delegations, heightened threat concerns from Ukraine and ongoing drone attacks are the main drivers. The internet blackout is aimed at preventing potential security threats during the military parade.
Russian authorities have framed the moves as a necessary safety precaution, aimed at preventing the use of mobile communication for coordinating illegal activities or remote control of devices that could pose a security threat during mass events. The shutdowns typically occur during the parade and rehearsals, with digital services becoming unavailable, affecting daily activities like hailing taxis.
The measures reflect concerns over hybrid warfare tactics and the potential for provocations during significant national celebrations. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and increased threat environment around May 9th, 2025, Moscow utilizes these measures to protect the event from possible drone attacks or orchestrated provocations.
- As Moscow prepares for the 80th anniversary of the victory over Nazi Germany, authorities are imposing temporary internet restrictions during the celebrations, as revealed by Dmitri Peskov, the Kremlin's official spokesman.
- In light of the potential for attacks from Ukraine's forces, experts and Russia's Duma deputy Anton Nemkin have suggested that the internet shutdowns are a proactive defense measure, referencing past instances where Ukraine's army has targeted mobile internet during attacks.
- Amid the celebrations and multiple state visits, including from Chinese President Xi Jinping, Moscow will experience internet disruptions as a security precaution, aimed at preventing potential security threats during the military parade on Red Square.
- The Kremlin has cited heightened threat concerns from Ukraine and ongoing drone attacks as the main drivers for these internet shutdowns, which primarily serve as a security measure during high-profile events attended by foreign delegations.
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