The Kremlin has no plans to compensate businesses for losses caused by internet outages, spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, according to the Russian media outlet Vy Slushali. Support measures were “not under consideration,” he said.
Peskov added that the internet restrictions were being applied in accordance with existing law.
“They are necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, which is an absolute priority. An absolute priority,” he said.
In late April, media sources reported that mobile internet access — including access via “white lists” — as well as mobile communications and SMS messaging would be restricted in Moscow during the Victory Day preparations (on May 5 and 7) and on May 9 itself.
On May 5, users in Moscow and St. Petersburg encountered the restrictions. Around midday, the Digital Development Ministry announced that the temporary blocks in Moscow, imposed for security reasons, had been lifted and that mobile internet access had been restored.
On May 6, the Digital Development Ministry officially announced that mobile internet access in Moscow would be restricted on Victory Day — including access to the “white list” of websites and to SMS messaging services. The ministry said it had no plans to cut mobile internet or restrict communications on May 7.
At Meduza, we are committed to transparency about our use of artificial intelligence in the newsroom. The story you’re reading was written by one of our living, breathing journalists and translated from Russian using an AI model configured to follow our strict editorial standards. This translation process is the result of extensive testing and refinements to ensure our English-language coverage is timely and accurate. A Meduza editor reviews every draft before publication.
If you find any errors in this translation, please contact us at [email protected].
To read Meduza’s exclusive content in English, please subscribe to our newsletter.
