Internet restrictions in occupied Crimea remain until end of war, Russian authorities say

Sergei Aksyonov, the Russian-installed "head of Crimea", has said that the internet in occupied Crimea has been restricted until the end of Russia's so-called "special military operation" ("SVO"), as Russian propaganda refers to the Russian war against Ukraine.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza

Details: Aksyonov said that the restrictions are primarily linked to military aims.

Quote: "The enemy often uses these things. So until the end of the 'SVO', these restrictions will remain in place. People just need to accept it, switch to a different way of working and understand when and how it is switched off."

More details: Aksyonov added that he believes the measures are justified and sufficient to ensure Crimea's security.

Since spring 2025, the authorities have been restricting mobile internet in Russia, citing security concerns and the need to protect against the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks.

During a parade rehearsal in May, Moscow faced mobile internet outages and in autumn 2025 residents of St Petersburg complained for the first time about prolonged shutdowns.

In some oblasts, not only mobile internet but communications in general have been cut.

By autumn 2025, so-called "white lists" appeared, a list of resources that remain accessible even during shutdowns. Russia's most popular messaging apps, Telegram and WhatsApp, are not included.

Background: Russians have faced widespread internet problems which the authorities explain as "temporary restrictions" during UAV attacks.

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