Russia warns of ongoing disruptions to online services

Russian President Vladimir Putin's administration has announced that mobile internet outages in the country will persist for as long as they are deemed "necessary" to safeguard citizens, following reported disruptions in Moscow and other major cities.

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Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the outages will continue "as long as additional measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens" when asked about their duration at a daily press briefing.

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Peskov also levied accusations against Ukraine, alleging that the country is employing "increasingly sophisticated attack methods" and emphasizing the need for "more technologically advanced countermeasures" to counter these threats.

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Russian security services have repeatedly asserted that Ukraine is utilizing the Telegram messaging app to enlist individuals or orchestrate acts of sabotage within Russia's borders.

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An AFP reporter personally experienced mobile internet disruptions while in the western Russian regions of Oryol and Tula, located several hundred kilometers south of Moscow.

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Over the past few months, Russia has imposed restrictions on both Telegram and WhatsApp, a platform owned by US social media giant Meta, citing the need to combat criminal activity, while concurrently promoting state-backed Russian rival Max.

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Critics and human rights advocates argue that these restrictions are a blatant attempt by the Kremlin to exert greater control and surveillance over internet usage in Russia.

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They also contend that such restrictions will hinder Russians' ability to communicate with individuals outside of the country.