Overview
- The Kremlin said the current internet limits are a security measure and promised full restoration once threats ease.
- Authorities cited the risk of Ukrainian drones to justify a near three‑week mobile data shutdown in Moscow in March and periodic blocks elsewhere.
- Officials have intensified moves against Telegram and against VPNs that bypass blocks, while pushing a state-run super‑app called Max.
- People familiar with internal talks said anger over outages and Telegram limits has triggered a slowdown and reassessment, with some warning of political and economic costs and state polling showing trust in Vladimir Putin at 67.8%.
- Telegram founder Pavel Durov urged users to join a “digital resistance” and to stock up on VPNs as Russian investigators scrutinize him.