The Global Story Why is Russia shutting off the internet?
9 snips
May 4, 2026 
Steve Rosenberg, BBC Russia editor with 30 years reporting from Russia, offers expert perspective. He outlines Kremlin moves from TV control to new internet laws and mobile shutdowns. Listens to how blackouts disrupt navigation, payments and news. Discusses Telegram’s role, official security claims versus control aims, and signs of public backlash and broader political strain.
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Kremlin Shifted From TV To Tight Internet Control
- The Kremlin has progressively shifted focus from controlling TV to tightly policing the internet since Putin came to power in 2000.
- Laws, blacklist mechanisms and post-2022 moves (declaring Meta extremist and blocking global platforms) show an accelerating campaign to nationalize Russia's information space.
Three Concrete Tools Of The New Crackdown
- Three recent changes define the new crackdown: blocking popular global messengers, cracking down on VPNs, and intermittent nationwide mobile internet shutdowns.
- The state is promoting a Russian state-backed messenger called Max while progressively blocking alternatives like Telegram and WhatsApp.
Moscow's Three Week Mobile Internet Blackout
- Steve Rosenberg described a three-week mobile internet blackout in Moscow that disabled satnavs, taxi apps, mobile payments and news on phones.
- People resorted to paper maps, increased landline use, and taxi drivers lost their way, revealing deep digital dependence.