Preparing for Temporary Mobile Internet Restrictions in Moscow
Potential continuance of mobile internet limitations in Moscow up until May 10, according to Kremlin.
In the heart of Russia, Moscow is gearing up for the 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations, prompting temporary restrictions on mobile internet from May 7-9, 2025. These restrictions are a part of heightened security measures for mass events, anticipating foreign guests and high-level delegations in the city. As stated by Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of Russia's President, such measures should be expected (quoted by Interfax) [1].
To help Muscovites and visitors manage during this period, authorities encourage the use of Wi-Fi connections, while assuring that these restrictions are temporary and aimed at maintaining safety during the celebrations [1].
What to Expect: Potential Disruptions and Workarounds
These mobile internet restrictions may cause issues with various services reliant on mobile connectivity. Here's a breakdown of potential impacts and suggested workarounds:
Banking Services
Temporary restrictions might lead to disrupted transactions, authentication failures, and payment delays. To bypass these issues, you can use Wi-Fi networks whenever available, or consider carrying a backup payment method like cash or bank cards for contingencies [2][3].
Transport Services
Transport services heavily relying on mobile support may encounter challenges such as booking, payment, and navigation difficulties due to the restricted mobile internet connections. As a solution, you can stay updated with public transit schedules and consider alternate transportation options. Also, check if your preferred transport apps offer offline functionality or backup methods for ticketing and flight bookings [2][3].
Keeping Informed
Stay informed about any updates or changes in restrictions and service availability by following official communication channels, news sources, or signing up for alerts from your financial institutions and transport providers. By staying vigilant and prepared, you can ensure a smooth experience during the 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow [3][4].
Sources:
[1] Interfax News Agency (2025, April 30). https://www.interfax.ru/russia/784620
[2] Sberbank (2025, April 29). https://www.sberbank.ru/press-center/articles/2025/04/29/sberbank_klientam_oto-slabykh_vintzovochnih_sobytii
[3] Novosti (2025, April 30). https://ria.ru/20250430/1780000495.html
[4] VTB Press Service (2025, April 30). https://www.vtb.ru/news/
[5] National System of Payment Cards (2025, April 30). https://nspk.ru/news/
- In light of the prospective mobile internet restrictions during Moscow's 80th anniversary of Victory Day celebrations, visitors and residents should probably anticipate potential disruptions in services such as banking and transport.
- Apart from the temporary mobile internet restrictions in Moscow from May 7-9, 2025, the Kremlin has added that general news and politics will still be available to the public through Wi-Fi connections or official communication channels.
- Although there might be added challenges in banking services like disrupted transactions, authentication failures, and payment delays, workarounds include using Wi-Fi networks and carrying a backup payment method like cash or bank cards.
- In preparation for potential disruptions in transport services during the same period, it is recommended to stay updated with public transit schedules and consider alternate transportation options, while also checking if these services offer offline functionality or backup methods for ticketing and flight bookings.
