Residents of Moscow have grown accustomed to the peculiarities of war-related GPS spoofing, particularly in the bustling downtown area. This phenomenon often leads drivers to abandon their digital navigators in favor of traditional paper maps, as security forces manipulate signals to thwart Ukrainian drones from utilizing local GPS for targeting. While many Muscovites accept this disruption with a resigned shrug, a recent surge of orchestrated internet and mobile phone outages has introduced a new layer of digital chaos into their daily lives.
In a notable shift, the Russian government appears to be “throttling” popular messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram, which dominate the local communication landscape. This move aligns with a broader strategy to promote a domestically developed super-app named Max, which the Kremlin hopes will replace these foreign platforms. The implications of this transition are significant, as it threatens to reshape the online interactions of millions of Russians.
Internet interference
The Kremlin’s relationship with online messaging services has been fraught with tension in recent years. As the government intensifies its efforts to control the digital landscape, many citizens are left pondering the future of their online communications. Natalya, an office worker in Moscow, expressed her frustration, stating, “It’s very irritating, but what can we do? I once thought of getting rid of my landline, and I’m so glad I didn’t. Maybe we’re going to have to fall back on those phones.”
Officials have hinted that these disruptions are part of a broader electronic warfare strategy against Ukrainian adversaries. However, analysts caution that this could also serve as a precursor to a more extensive plan to consolidate the country’s digital space and eliminate foreign influences. Sarkis Darbinyan, a cyberlawyer with RKS Global, notes that Russia has long envisioned a “sovereign internet” capable of operating independently from global networks. “The idea is that if the global West isolates Russia from the internet, the authorities will have the infrastructure in place to maintain a self-sufficient Russian internet,” he explains.
As these disruptions unfold, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov acknowledged the potential impact on businesses, suggesting that compensation might be considered for those affected. However, he emphasized that the primary objective remains national security, asserting that the Ukrainian forces are employing increasingly sophisticated electronic warfare tactics that necessitate technological countermeasures.
Some analysts speculate that the government may be laying the groundwork for a near-total internet shutdown, which could be implemented during emergencies. A “whitelist” of approximately 900 core Russian websites has been published, ensuring that essential services and approved media platforms remain operational. This unprecedented crackdown has particularly affected urban populations, who have come to rely heavily on the internet for everyday activities.
Lev Gudkov, director of the Levada Center, Russia’s sole independent public opinion agency, highlights the profound impact on younger generations. “Young people, up to 50 years old, are heavily connected to social networks, engage in information searches, online shopping, and even simple tasks like ordering a taxi. Of course, this internet interference is affecting them,” he notes.
Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has been systematically pruning the internet to enforce increasingly stringent national security laws. Foreign platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and X have been blocked for failing to comply with data localization requirements. Now, the agency is targeting Telegram, WhatsApp, and other foreign messaging apps, rendering them largely unusable for the majority of Russian internet users who do not utilize virtual private networks (VPNs). Rumors are circulating that Telegram may face a complete shutdown on April 1.
Amidst this bureaucratic struggle, many state agencies and officials continue to rely on Telegram for communication, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. However, security services view these apps as tools for dissent and potential threats. The Kremlin’s intensified scrutiny reflects a broader trend of repressive measures justified by the war, as noted by Alexander Verkhovsky, director of the Sova Center in Moscow, which monitors political speech trends. “Most things we call repressive these days are related to the war, directly or indirectly,” he states, suggesting that the current state of affairs may persist long after the conflict subsides.
