The Kremlin tests a total disconnection of Russia by cutting off internet access in central Moscow

MoscowA cartoon that appeared in the Russian press shows a billboard with a caricature of Vladimir Putin and the text "He brought us back from the 90s." At its base, a man asks another, "Where did you get that? Does he look for people?" His interlocutor replies, "I'll show you on the map," and unfolds a huge map of Moscow. Walking through the Russian capital these days is like stepping back in time and, at the same time, contemplating a science fiction set. On March 5, the authorities blocked mobile internet in the city's central districts, and more than a week later, the network is still failing. The Kremlin justifies this action as being for "security reasons," but activists warn that this is just one more step toward Russia's inevitable disconnection from the global internet.

Pedestrians try to decipher this bewildering reality as they take refuge in cafes and libraries in search of Wi-Fi. Why does the phone work for a few seconds on one street, but then, just a few blocks away, it loses connection again? Some people don't receive text messages, and others can't even make calls. In a city devoted to e-commerce platforms, this is a constant sight. riders Lost without GPS or taxi drivers resorting to traditional methods to attract customers and demanding cash payments. It is estimated that during the first five days of disruptions, losses for businesses were equivalent to 50 million euros. A return to outdated technologies does not seem like a far-fetched option to many. Members of parliament propose bringing back obsolete phone booths and installing public internet access points, and the sale of paper maps. walkie-talkiesLandline phones and pagers are on the rise.

Faced with public concern, the Kremlin has simply explained that the network outages are necessary for "security reasons" and to counter "Ukraine's increasingly sophisticated attack methods." According to cyber lawyer Sarkis Darbinian, speaking to ARA, Putin fears a new "Operation Spiderweb," the largest and most devastating attack against Russian aircraft, carried out with Ukrainian drones. However, the fear is that this time the target will be the capital, its centers of power, and its officials, given that Parliament, ministries, and the presidential administration have also lost internet access.

In any case, Darbinian maintains that the zeal is excessive because Moscow is a highly fortified city, and furthermore, blocking the network may be ineffective in preventing drone attacks. However, he points out that the fear is such that solutions like this are being increasingly abused, without consideration for the well-being of the population or the economy. In fact, since June 2025, citizens in some Russian regions where strategic facilities are located have had no internet connection. That is why the Kremlin does not dare to predict how long the restrictions will last and is convinced that people "have no doubt that security is paramount."

Resignation

And many Muscovites agree. They appear resigned and accept the new situation as a matter of fate, without indignation, with a pre-political attitude, as if the communications blackout in the center of Europe's largest city were a divine decree against which no one can raise their voice. Near Red Square, a young woman who doesn't want to give her name says that "the most important thing is that everyone is safe and sound" and that she is prepared to "suffer whatever it takes." Before leaving, she asks: "Will they put me in prison for saying this?" A group of university students explains that they can't currently enter the faculty building because they have to use a mobile app. "We're used to convenience and accessibility, and this is unpleasant," says Rustam. "Communication is a privilege in our country," adds Stepan. Not far away, on his way to work, Denis sees the positive side of the lockdown. "Ninety percent of the time people spend online they look at nonsense; now they'll have more time to talk to others and think about life," he says.

According to Darbinian, the measures will eventually be lifted because the authorities are still "not prepared" for the Iranian scenario with "permanent whitelists," where only certain online resources authorized by the government are allowed to operate. What he does foresee is the expulsion of all platforms that refuse to cooperate with the intelligence services, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and he warns of a "great risk" that the objective pursued by the Kremlin since 2012, and accelerated by the war in Ukraine, will materialize: disconnecting Russia from the not-too-distant horizon, somewhere between China and North Korea, which would allow the country to be plunged into darkness during times of social tension.

The expert believes that authorities will soon be able to block home Wi-Fi networks as well and will unsuccessfully attempt to shut down VPN systems, the tools that allow users to circumvent censorship and connect to European servers. "VPNs are becoming more than just a way to evade the law; they are a form of civil protest," he states. "It's unrealistic to expect Russians to take to the streets in protest knowing they will be imprisoned and tortured, but we can expect them to protest with their devices."