Russian authorities may shut down mobile internet on New Year’s Eve for “citizen safety,” Andrey Svintsov, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee for Information Policy, told TASS. “Mobile internet – yes, they could shut it down for the safety of our citizens, so that they can safely go out and celebrate the New Year,” the deputy said, according to The Moscow Times.
Andrey Svintsov believes that such decisions could have a “positive effect”. “People will have a break from endlessly watching useless videos.
And if you need to congratulate someone, go over there, knock on the door and greet them,” the parliamentarian explained. The deputy also clarified that any restrictions will only be imposed if there is information about possible drone attacks. Meanwhile, home broadband internet and Wi-Fi will operate without interruption in all regions, Svintsov assured: “Anyone who wants to send greetings or make a video call from home will be able to do so without any problems.”
Mobile internet shutdowns in Russia began to be widely implemented in the spring of 2025 under the pretext of security. In some regions, permanent restrictions were introduced until the end of the war in Ukraine. According to the “Na Svyazi” project, starting from December 29, the mobile internet shutdown affected 57 regions of the Russian Federation. In 65 regions, along with the shutdowns, “white lists” of websites approved by the authorities are introduced.
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