Because of Ukrainian drone attacks: Russia shuts down mobile internet more often
Ukraine repeatedly succeeds in launching attacks in the Russian hinterland, made possible by drones. The mobile phone network is often blocked in response.
(Image: Parilov/Shutterstock.com)
In Russia, the number of mobile phone disconnections continues to increase, with the authorities attempting to make drone attacks by Ukraine more difficult. Bloomberg reports this with reference to the Russian organization НА СВЯЗИ (Na Svyazi), which has set itself the task of documenting such blockades. According to the report, the number of blockades increased significantly after June 9, when the Russian leadership celebrated the Soviet Union's victory in the Second World War. A few days earlier, Ukraine used drones to attack several airports in Russia, apparently using the Russian mobile network.
Sudden internet shutdowns normalized
In June alone, there were 654 mobile network shutdowns in various regions of Russia. Not only the areas directly bordering Ukraine and thus the war zone were affected, but also areas as far away as Siberia. According to the report, mobile communications were even blocked in the capital Moscow. Bloomberg quotes an expert from the US think tank Council on Foreign Relations as saying that the shutdowns are extremely helpful in defending against drone attacks. It can therefore be assumed that the Russian authorities will continue to do so. With far-reaching consequences for the local population, who will have to make do without the internet while traveling.
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According to Bloomberg, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has admitted that the mobile blockades are being imposed "due to security concerns". The founder of the civil rights organization Roskomsvoboda added that the Russian authorities have normalized the fact that they can simply switch off the Internet. The highly effective Ukrainian attack on airports and military aircraft in Russia involved the use of drones hidden in the cargo of trucks parked near the targets. It was apparently possible to control the devices remotely via the Russian mobile phone network and even transmit video recordings.
(mho)
