The Digital Iron Curtain: Russia Enacts "Great Crackdown" on Internet and Messaging
The Kremlin intensifies online control in March 2026, jamming mobile internet in Moscow, blocking WhatsApp, and restricting Telegram via new FSB powers.
By: AXL Media
Published: Mar 23, 2026, 11:25 AM EDT
Source: Reuters
Mobile Jamming and Regional Blackouts
Over the past week, residents of central Moscow and St. Petersburg have experienced daily, total losses of mobile internet connectivity.
The "Drone" Justification: Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed these outages to "security measures" against Ukrainian drone threats, noting that cellular networks can be utilized for navigation.
Geographical Scope: While Moscow remains the focus, periodic shutdowns have been reported in various border regions and major industrial hubs following aerial attacks.
The War on Messaging: WhatsApp and Telegram
The crackdown has specifically targeted the primary communication tools used by millions of Russians.
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