Russia cuts mobile internet due to Putin’s fear of hacking security cameras after the assassination of Ayatollah Khamenei

The internet blackout, which was first reported in some Moscow suburbs on March 5 and spread throughout the Russian capital, has blocked many foreign websites, taxi and delivery apps, and even some government services.

The authorities have justified these limitations on network access as defensive measures against attacks with Ukrainian drones, an explanation that fits with the increase in incidents in Russian territory.

These measures taken by the Government of the Russian Federation They happen in a context marked by war in Ukraine and after the murder of iranian supreme leader after the military operation started on February 28 by the United States and Israel.

This is not a new limitation in the country, since since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, called by Putin as “special military operation“, Internet outages have been common, but only in areas near Ukraine or enclaves located at strategic points.

In fact, since the days after the start of the war, Russia has blocked the main platforms of Metaincluding Facebook and Instagram, as part of a broader offensive to control the flow of information after the invasion of Ukraine.

The change compared to what was happening is that the main mobile internet outages are now occurring in the main cities, both Moscow and Saint Petersburgthe second most important city in the country.

Limits everyday life

However, the magnitude of the restrictions – which in some areas of the Russian capital leave access to the mobile network practically unusable – has fueled deeper interpretations about what is really at stake in Moscow.

Unlike Iran, where internet access has been completely cut off through a widespread blockade, in Russia, citizens can access the network through a Wi-Fi connection.

Residents of the Moscow capital, a city ​​of 13 million inhabitantsare resigned to the continued difficulties of moving around the center without internet access and not being able to use their favorite mobile applications.

Although they try to take it with humor on the networks, the interruption of the service would have serious implications on the daily life of the population, as they are not able to perform tasks as simple as responding to a message, locating where a family member is or controlling certain diseases.

This is the case of Svetlanaa resident of the outskirts of Moscow, who has explained in words collected by the CNNwhich relies on a constant stream of data to monitor the blood sugar levels of its 8-year-old diabetic son, Vanya.

This woman regretted not being able to access the Internet and the difficulty this caused her in controlling her son’s illness. “This internet restriction seems so illogical,” Svetlana complained.

In addition, he assured that the Russian authorities, for years, promoted the digitalization of all services, which is why he explained that in the country “no one understands this decision“, showing the general boredom with the problems of accessing the internet outside the home.

Putin fears his assassination

In any case, the main reason that has led the Russian Government to take these measures, according to the investor Bill Browdera frequent critic of the Kremlin, would be a growing fear on the part of the Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, who would fear being killed.

This is how Browder explains it to the American media Newsweekwhich has warned that Russia is cutting off internet access in Moscow “because it believes this is how Ayatollah Khamenei was discovered, attacked and murdered.”

The recent murder of Yemeniallegedly facilitated by tracking hacked surveillance cameras, has shaken regimes that, like Russia, rely on massive video surveillance networks.

The Russian Executive has only limited itself to stating that these restrictions have been taken to safeguard national security.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskovexplained in a press conference that the limitations will be maintained “as long as additional measures are necessary to guarantee the safety of our citizens.”

“He has cut off Internet access because he believes the Ukrainians, or perhaps someone else, will use the Internet to track him down and kill him,” Browder said.

The president and co-founder of the investment fund Hermitage Capital Management dropped that these restrictions were applied by the Executive to guarantee the security of the Russian president “They are not what someone confident does“.

Furthermore, he warns that the possibility that security cameras, very valuable in certain regimes, could also turn against them, as in the case of Iran, has ceased to be theoretical for the Russian leader himself, but has become a reality.

Instead of a single nationwide blackout, Russia appears to be moving toward a pattern of localized, recurring and selective outages and service degradation, Russian internet freedom expert said. Mikhail Klimarev to the CNN.

As Klimarev explained, the sectors most affected by these restrictions are those that depend on electronic commerce, such as courier services, taxis and retail businesses.

A limited internet

The interruptions to the internet service in Russia are fueling widespread concern about the tightening of state control when connecting to the network.

The Russian Government has also begun to test what it calls a kind of “sovereign internet”which is a connection practically isolated from the rest of the world through a firewall, which prevents the connection via VPN.

The country’s communications regulatory agency, Roskomnadzorhas introduced a control mechanism for which applications are approved for use, although as Klimarev stated to the CNNthis selection process lacks transparency.

From Roskomnadzor, they have warned that they are “considering” prohibit the use of red social Telegramsince it allegedly violates Russian laws.

In parallel with the internet blockade, the Kremlin has also been pushing for the imposition of a state-controlled messaging app, called Max, as the country’s main portal for state services, payments and everyday communication.

In any case, Klimarev has warned that Russia has the capacity to completely cut off Internet access, although he only believes this possibility is possible in the event of a major escalation in the war in Ukraine or an economic collapse.