Russia Plans Internet Shutdown During Victory Day Events

In a move to exert tighter control, Russia has announced its intention to cut off internet services across multiple areas, including the capital, Moscow, during the Victory Day festivities on May 9. This decision comes as the government looks to suppress digital communication and activity while dignitaries from abroad partake in the event commemorating the defeat of Nazi Germany in the second World War.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin's spokesperson, noted that these restrictions are necessary due to the presence of 'threatening neighbors.' These steps are not mere disruptions but deliberate limitations put in place for safety, ensuring the occasion is observed with due reverence.

Reports from independent news outlet Meduza indicate that residents of Moscow have been facing intermittent phone and internet connectivity issues since May 5. These Victory Day ceremonies form a core part of Russia's nationalistic narrative under President Vladimir Putin, attracting international figures such as China's Xi Jinping and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

Amid these scheduled events, President Putin has proposed a temporary halt to hostilities with Ukraine, extending a three-day ceasefire proposal, which was promptly dismissed by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a mere 'spectacle.'

Leading up to the celebrated date, Ukrainian forces have escalated their drone strikes targeting Russia, with sustained assaults forcing the shutdown of airports in Moscow over successive nights. The precautionary responses to these attacks have already disrupted at least 350 flights, as per statements from the Russian association of tour operators.

Zelenskyy's administration has communicated a clear warning to those intending to visit Russia on May 9, asserting they cannot guarantee safety for those on Russian soil during this period.

Escalating Digital Restrictions

Since launching its incursion into Ukraine in 2022, Russia has significantly tightened its grip on internet access, employing a strategy labelled as the 'sovereign internet' project. This initiative aims to closely monitor and control online content and communication by limiting connectivity to global networks and disabling various VPN services that might bypass local regulations.

These extended controls have particularly affected regions subject to Ukrainian drone attacks. For instance, as of April 25, the city of Rostov experienced curtailment of service, a measure underscored by Kommersant as a safeguard against the manipulation of networks for guiding drone operations.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank based in Washington, D.C., anticipates continued internet blackouts in expansive areas within Russia amid Ukrainian long-range attacks. This ongoing strategy aims to evaluate the Sovereign Internet infrastructure and prevent rapid dissemination of sensitive information regarding the consequences of these strikes.