Russia continues to restrict mobile internet, introduces website "whitelists"

Residents in Russia are being warned about disruptions to mobile internet via SMS messages, as authorities test the introduction of "whitelists" of websites that remain accessible during shutdowns.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza

Details: Meduza reported that residents of Moscow Oblast had begun receiving warnings about "temporary difficulties" with mobile internet on 14 March. Similar messages were sent out in St Petersburg on 17 March and in Moscow on 18 March.

These restrictions are reportedly being introduced "to ensure security measures".

Meanwhile, users are told they can access services included on a "whitelist" – a set of websites that remain available when mobile internet access is limited.

Meduza said that problems with mobile internet and communications have been observed in Moscow since early March. Earlier, residents in several Russian regions had reported regular disruptions.

Russian authorities explain the creation of these "whitelists" as being due to "security considerations amid drone attacks".

No official full "whitelist" has been posted, but it is reported to include the websites of mobile operators, federal media outlets, the central bank, government agencies, online marketplaces and Russian social networks such as VKontakte and Odnoklassniki and the Max messaging service.

Background: Internet shutdowns in Russia have been occurring since May 2025. Russia ranked as the world leader in the number of such shutdowns by the end of last year. According to Top10VPN, disruptions totalled 37,166 hours and affected almost the entire population of the country – 146 million people. On average, restrictions are introduced daily in 63 regions.

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