Press Release, 13.03.2026

Photo by Roman Yarovitsyn, Kommersant

Since 6 March, there have been mass shutdowns of the Internet and mobile communications across Moscow, leaving residents of the capital at times completely cut off from the outside world and unable to obtain assistance or services. In addition, regional small and medium-sized businesses have been sustaining losses running into billions of roubles. The authorities, meanwhile, have not only failed to provide any explanation but have also offered no alternatives to protect Moscow residents from recurring isolation. On 13 March, the Bureau of Moscow Yabloko set out its demands: that the authorities support businesses, improve the provision of information to citizens, and explain the reasons behind the total shutdown of the Internet and mobile communications.

On the situation regarding mobile internet and communications shutdowns in Moscow
Statement by the Bureau of the Moscow Regional Branch of the Yabloko Party

Since 6 March, Moscow has been experiencing mass shutdowns of mobile Internet and mobile communications. In a number of cases, even websites including those in the so-called “white list” of permitted resources have been inaccessible.

According to press reports, the cumulative damage to businesses in Moscow has already been estimated at over 3 billion roubles.

In addition to direct financial losses, shutdowns of this kind have created an atmosphere of uncertainty for entrepreneurs and are having a negative impact on the city’s investment climate.

Moscow residents have also been affected by the communications restrictions. Many Muscovites have found themselves unable to use familiar and socially essential services during the shutdowns, including remote payment for city parking, banking services, and the registration and purchase of online tickets for cultural events.

Problems have also arisen in retail. In a number of chain stores — including Pyatyorochka, Magnit, and Lenta — as well as in smaller outlets, the absence of a working internet connection has made it impossible to sell certain essential goods subject to mandatory labelling and tracking through the Chestny ZNAK system [the system of national making and tracking of goods].

The situation has been accompanied by no public explanation from the authorities and is not governed by any published regulatory acts. As a result, consumers, both businesses and ordinary residents, have had no way of understanding the reasons for what has been happening, or of determining whether the shutdowns are the result of decisions by state regulators or of a failure on the part of telecommunications operators to provide services properly.

We are convinced that it is necessary to:
– explain the reasons for the mobile Internet and communications shutdowns in Moscow from 6 March to the present, and publish the decisions of the relevant regulatory bodies — if such decisions were taken and served as the basis for the restrictions — to the extent that publication is permitted;
– strengthen efforts to inform Moscow residents, visitors to Moscow, and businesses located in Moscow about the possible ways of accessing city services during periods when communications are restricted;
– in the event that the stable operation of mobile Internet and communications cannot be promptly restored, provide assistance to small and medium-sized enterprises in meeting the costs of connecting to wired internet — in the first instance for retail outlets selling essential goods.

We believe that modern life — and, still more, the development of a major city — is impossible without mobile Internet and communications; that Moscow residents and Moscow businesses have the right to timely and full information about the reasons for communications restrictions; and, most importantly, to prompt and effective support in a situation where outages are causing significant economic and social harm.