Vladimir Putin justified the recent restrictions on mobile internet in Russia on Thursday for security reasons. However, although the measures help prevent attacks against Russian territory, the Kremlin chief asked in a teleconference meeting with the Government that citizens’ interests be taken into account.
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In March, authorities cut off mobile internet access in central Moscow for almost three weeks. The same happened regularly in other cities, alleging a risk that Ukrainian drones could use it to guide their attacks.
These restrictions have led to complaints from entrepreneurs, officials, and ordinary Russians, who have seen how the measures disrupted their daily lives in interacting with banks, using transport, and other services.
Vital services for citizens must be guaranteed, orders Putin
In one of his rare statements on the matter, Putin admitted to “some problems” in the functioning of the internet. “If this is related to operational work to prevent terrorist acts, the priority will always be to ensure people’s safety,” Putin said.
Addressing the Minister of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, the Kremlin chief asked for a “mechanism to maintain the uninterrupted functioning of vital services,” including payment systems, to be developed. “Nowadays, as we know, even if there is no balance on the mobile phone, emergency calls can be made. In the case of mobile internet, it must be organized to work the same way,” he noted.
Shortly before the start of the meeting, the Ministry of Digital Development announced the expansion of the so-called “whitelist.” It includes applications that remain available even if the internet is cut off. It was first published in September 2025 and includes a total of 500 services, including banking and medical applications.
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Putin’s party, United Russia, sees approval rating drop just months before legislative elections
The Russian leader stressed that “when (security services) complete a job, people should be informed of what is happening.” Evidently, “extensive information beforehand” can harm the work of special services, “because criminals also hear everything, see everything.” Even so, he asked the security forces “to show the necessary ingenuity and take into account the vital interests of Russians.”
The combination of justification by security forces and condescension towards citizen interest could be explained by the loss of popularity recorded by the Kremlin chief in recent months. Discontent over mobile internet connection cuts adds to the rejection of the latest repressive measures on networks, such as the progressive blocking of messaging services like WhatsApp or Telegram.
The Public Opinion Research Center (VTsIOM) has found that the Russian leader’s approval ratings have been declining since the beginning of the year, and in its latest survey, conducted between April 6 and 12, it stood at 66.7%. This is the lowest level since the start of Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine in February 2022.
More concerning are the figures for Putin’s party, United Russia, whose support (although still a majority) has dropped below 30%. This is because legislative elections are to be held in Russia next September.
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