Vladimir Putin has taken drastic steps to control the flow of information online in Russia by rolling out consistent internet blackouts, according to UK officials.
Last week, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed that extensive cellular internet outages were being implemented by the Kremlin throughout the country.
In June alone, there were an alarming 654 reported outages, which is nearly ten times more than what was recorded in May.
“These disruptions affected coverage for over half the population,” noted the MoD.
The government has publicly claimed that the blackouts are targeted at preventing Ukrainian drones from using cell signals. However, independent analysts argue that the primary aim is to impose stricter control over the online narrative.
In addition, there has been a rise in fixed line internet connections, with a group of exiled Russian journalists from The Medusa Project documenting internet shutdowns lasting up to 20-21 days in various regions of the country.
These connectivity issues have led to interruptions in digital payment systems and ATMs, raising public safety concerns. Intelligence sources indicate a correlation between the blackout periods and Ukrainian drone strikes, which Russia reported intercepting over 200 Ukrainian combat drones.
The Medusa Project also highlighted the erratic nature of these shutdowns, making it challenging to identify any consistent patterns or rationalities in the government’s approach.
They further commented, “Regions that should logically be deemed high-priority targets for Ukrainian strikes have witnessed minimal attacks, while others appearing less critical have faced considerably more damage.”
But internet issues are just the tip of the iceberg for Russians affected by the ongoing war. This weekend, Moscow made the unprecedented decision to cancel the traditional “Day of the Russian Navy” parade for the first time since it started in 2017.
In the past, other nations would join the celebration to showcase their naval power alongside Russia’s.
British intelligence has indicated that this cancellation was driven by “force protection worries.”
Moreover, this unfolds against the backdrop of record casualties suffered by the Russian military since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The MoD stated, “Despite bearing over 1 million battlefield losses in Ukraine, it’s evident that Russia remains focused on territorial gains rather than pursuing peace in Europe.”
As the MoD shared its updates, discussions continue at the American level regarding a potential peace initiative between Russia and Ukraine.
Amidst this, US President Donald Trump is reportedly planning to address the ongoing conflict with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his visit to Scotland.
Prior to leaving, Trump mentioned to reporters in the US that he is considering further sanctions against Russia.
