Russia’s Digital Iron Curtain: Analyzing the Kremlin’s Grip on the Internet

Russia is progressively exerting stricter control over its internet, a trend underscored by widespread disruptions and limitations that have become a defining feature of 2025. These extensive actions are noticeably changing Russians’ everyday routines. It’s not just a minor inconvenience; it impacts everything from paying for public transit to monitoring vital health data.

Reports show credit card failures on public transport, ATMs going offline, and popular messaging applications facing shutdowns. Mobile data and text accessibility often disappear following international travel. More alarmingly, parents of children with diabetes struggle to oversee their kids’ blood sugar because of these internet interruptions. I’ve seen this sort of tiered access played out before in other sectors; it’s rarely about technical limitations and almost always about control.
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For several months now, Russian regions have experienced mobile internet blackouts purportedly aimed at deterring Ukrainian drone strikes. Government efforts also focus on restricting popular messaging apps, nudging users towards a state-controlled alternative, which is, unsurprisingly, regarded by many as a potential surveillance apparatus.

While broadband and Wi-Fi have largely remained functional, accounts given to the Associated Press paint a picture of pervasive interference in everyday life. Understandably, those who spoke did so anonymously, reflecting the climate of concern.

The Rise of “White Lists” and Controlled Access
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Since May, cellphone internet shutdowns became commonplace, and by November, monitoring groups documented daily disruptions across most Russian regions. The rationale, as stated by officials, involves thwarting Ukrainian drones by preventing their navigation through mobile networks.

But here’s where it gets interesting. During these shutdowns, only a pre-approved selection of Russian websites and online services, what they call “white lists,” remain accessible.

These “white lists” vary depending on the provider. They typically encompass official government websites, email platforms, social media, a couple of online marketplaces, and the Russian search engine Yandex, along with its related services. Some providers even offer access to a banking app, although this isn’t universal. The authorities promise expansions to these lists, but who decides what makes the cut?

A Vladivostok resident named Marina recounted her unease when she found only one government-controlled bank app working during an outage. It made her question where things are heading. “For me, this is the scariest thing,” she conveyed, “The loss of information, the loss of freedom, is the most depressing thing for me.”

In Ulyanovsk, a resident’s credit card was declined on a tram during a disruption, leaving him short on cash. Meanwhile, families of diabetic children worry about their inability to track glucose levels when kids are at school, a reliance disrupted by these deliberate outages. These aren’t abstract concerns; they’re real-world problems caused by policy.

The government’s answer? Embrace a technology-free lifestyle. A social media cartoon from internet regulator Roskomnadzor depicted a young man transitioning from a phone-fixated existence in a dark apartment to a carefree park stroll with coffee and a book. The implied message – going offline means reconnecting with yourself – drew mostly angry and sarcastic responses. It’s tone-deaf, to say the least.

SIM Card Restrictions and Messaging App Control

Recent anti-drone measures introduced “cooling periods,” temporarily blocking data and texts on SIM cards used abroad or inactive for over 72 hours. While owners can reactivate their SIMs, those utilized in devices lacking text message interfaces, such as portable Wi-Fi routers, face permanent disconnection. This creates significant issues for critical infrastructure.

One Russian lawmaker, Andrei Svintsov, highlighted the widespread use of SIM cards in electricity meters for transmitting monthly readings. “Does this mean they’ll all die? All the heating boilers will shut down, and all the Chinese cars will stop working? This is a massive problem, and I don’t know if the government is even aware of it,” he questioned. It raises serious questions about the practicality and unintended repercussions of such measures.

Then, there’s the increasing squeeze on popular messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, which boast massive user bases in Russia. Authorities began restricting calls on these apps, ostensibly to combat phone scams. They also throttle connectivity in some areas. Neither app features on the coveted “white list.”

Instead, the focus shifts to the Russian messaging service MAX, promoted by the government and mandated for pre-installation on all smartphones sold in Russia. Critics call it a surveillance tool, citing its willingness to share user data with authorities. It also lacks end-to-end encryption, a standard feature in apps prioritizing user privacy.

State institutions, officials, and businesses are increasingly encouraged to shift communications to MAX. However, anecdotal evidence suggests little enthusiasm among ordinary users. While MAX claims a substantial registered user base, its daily active users remain far below those of WhatsApp and Telegram.

A Population Resigned?

Denis Volkov, director of the Levada Center, observes that many Russians view these restrictions with resignation, seeing them as unchangeable as the weather. The strategy, according to Volkov, seems to involve making “alternative content” difficult to access, hoping users will eventually abandon the effort to seek it out.

An Ulyanovsk resident admits using VPNs to bypass blocked websites but acknowledges the need to constantly install new ones as they are regularly blocked, revealing a cat-and-mouse game. His circle of friends shares VPN recommendations, but he doubts most people will bother.

Mikhail Klimarev, from the Internet Protection Society, contends that a complete internet shutdown is untenable due to its deep integration with economic activities. “Groceries are being shipped to stores – this is being done via internet, the ordering, the processing, and so on,” he pointed out.

Still, Klimarev expects further restrictions, including the complete blocking of Telegram and WhatsApp, and other unexpected measures. “Honestly, I’m watching it all with raised eyebrows. They seem to have come up with everything already, and they’re still coming up with something more,” he admitted.

What Russia is doing isn’t unprecedented. The tightening grip over digital information mirrors historical attempts to control narratives and suppress dissent. The long-term effects, however, are hard to accurately predict. Will this spark innovation, or will it stifle economic growth? The world is watching.

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Keywords: Russia internet control, Russian internet shutdowns, Kremlin internet grip, Russia digital iron curtain, Messaging app restrictions Russia, White lists Russia internet, Russian internet surveillance, MAX messaging app Russia