Russia plans to suspend mobile service for 24 hours for people returning from abroad

According to Ukrinform, the Center for Countering Disinformation at Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council reported this on Facebook.

Officials claim the 24-hour blackout is a “cooling-off period” aimed at preventing the use of SIM cards to operate drones. In fact, it represents another attempt to monitor citizens’ movements and restrict their communication.

“These measures mark a further step in Russia’s policy of digital isolation. The authorities are building a system where the monitoring of communications forms part of a repressive digital infrastructure,” the Center noted.

Although presented as “security measures,” the policy is in reality another instrument for controlling citizens and cutting off their contact with the outside world.

As reported by Ukrinform, an unofficial messaging app called Telega is being distributed in Russia. It runs on the VK and MAX platforms, both fully controlled by the government and used for state-run digital surveillance.