Telephone calls could still be made from many areas of Moscow, they said.
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- Russia cut off mobile internet services in Moscow and St. Petersburg on May 5, 2026, ahead of the May 9 Victory Day parade (per straitstimes.com).
- Six Reuters reporters in Moscow confirmed the lack of mobile internet access in various parts of the city, although phone calls could still be made (per straitstimes.com).
- A monitoring site reported mobile internet problems across multiple regions in European Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg (per straitstimes.com).
On May 5, 2026, Russia cut mobile internet services in Moscow and St. Petersburg, citing security concerns related to potential Ukrainian drone attacks. This preemptive measure comes ahead of the annual May 9 Victory Day parade, which commemorates the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
The Kremlin has scaled back the parade this year due to heightened security risks. The decision to limit mobile internet access has significantly impacted residents in these major cities. Many have reported difficulties in conducting everyday activities such as making payments, navigating the city, and communicating with others.
Russian mobile phone operators have acknowledged these disruptions, attributing them to the necessary security measures. Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has also warned its customers about potential issues with mobile internet and messaging services.
Six Reuters reporters stationed in different parts of Moscow confirmed that their mobile phones had no internet access, although they could still make telephone calls. This widespread outage has been corroborated by a monitoring site that tracks internet access complaints, which reported similar issues across various regions in European Russia.
The Kremlin's actions highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly in the context of security threats. The fear of drone attacks from Ukraine has prompted Russian authorities to take these drastic measures to ensure the safety of the Victory Day celebrations.
While the Kremlin maintains that these restrictions are necessary for security, the impact on daily life for residents in Moscow and St. Petersburg is undeniable. The disruption of mobile internet services has complicated routine tasks and left many Russians frustrated. As the situation develops,
- Residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg face disruptions in daily activities such as payments and communication due to the mobile internet cut, affecting millions of people.
- The Russian government benefits from these security measures by potentially preventing drone attacks during the Victory Day parade, showcasing its commitment to national security.
- The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate, with security concerns prompting significant actions like the internet blackout.
- Whether Russia restores mobile internet services in Moscow and St. Petersburg after the May 9 Victory Day parade.
- Any further security measures announced by the Kremlin in response to perceived threats from Ukraine.
- Reactions from the international community regarding Russia's internet blackout and its implications for civil liberties.
- straitstimes.com emphasizes the security concerns related to Ukrainian drone attacks, while news.google.com focuses on the impact of the internet blackout on residents.
- No source mentions the broader geopolitical context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has led to heightened security measures.
- The economic impact on businesses in Moscow and St. Petersburg due to the internet blackout is not discussed.