Russia’s Internet Blackouts: The FSB’s Rise to Digital Control
Russia’s state security apparatus, led by the FSB, has effectively seized control of the nation’s internet infrastructure, triggering intermittent, nationwide blackouts and a forced return to analog daily life for millions. According to analysts and former officials, the shift represents a move toward a “sovereign Runet” designed for state surveillance, prioritizing the prevention of internal dissent and the neutralization of foreign-linked communication platforms like Telegram.
Why is the FSB taking control of Russia’s internet?
The FSB’s Second Service, commanded by Colonel-General Alexei Sedov, has moved to centralize control over internet access to mitigate perceived existential threats, according to reports from The Bell and independent analysts. The security agency’s primary motivation stems from the use of mobile infrastructure by Ukrainian forces for drone navigation and the role of messaging apps in organizing domestic opposition. By controlling the “main switch,” the FSB aims to disrupt communication networks that it claims are being exploited by hostile intelligence services to coordinate sabotage, a concern publicly voiced by FSB head Alexander Bortnikov in April.
In March, Moscow residents experienced the first sustained mobile internet shutdowns since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The outages were so severe that even high-tech “golden” public toilets, which require card payments, became non-functional, forcing a sudden, widespread return to cash transactions.
How do these shutdowns impact the Russian economy?
The transition to a restricted internet is creating significant friction for Russia’s digital-first economy. Major tech firms, including Yandex and Ozon, have explicitly identified internet instability as a primary risk to their profitability, according to industry filings. Ivan Fedyakov, CEO of the analytics firm Infoline, notes that online commerce—including delivery services and car-sharing—has suffered as consumers retreat from digital platforms. To maintain operations during blackouts, some major retail banks have begun using “offline” transaction processing, effectively authorizing payments without verifying account balances in real-time to prevent total service collapse.
Is Russia’s “sovereign Runet” like China’s internet?
While often compared to the digital systems of Beijing or Tehran, the Russian model is distinct in its chaotic, reactive nature. Andrei Soldatov of the Center for European Policy Analysis observes that China built its control architecture into its infrastructure from the beginning, whereas Russia is improvising censorship measures to meet immediate security needs. This approach has led to collateral damage, such as the accidental disconnection of large swathes of Siberia, leading one former official to describe the FSB’s technical management as “a monkey with a grenade.”
As VPN reliability fluctuates due to an ongoing “cyber war” between state censors and providers, many Russian users are adopting a “two-phone” strategy. This involves keeping a secondary, inexpensive device for state-approved apps like the VK-developed Max, while keeping banned services on a separate, more secure handset.
What is the future of digital freedom in Russia?
The trend points toward a “whitelist” model where only state-vetted applications remain functional during periods of heightened security. Alexandra Prokopenko of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center suggests that civilian government bodies, such as the Ministry of Digital Development, have lost the leverage to challenge the FSB’s authority. As the state forces the migration of essential services—from medical records to parent-teacher communication—onto platforms like Max, the ability to operate outside the state’s digital umbrella is expected to diminish further. Industry figures like Telegram founder Pavel Durov warn that this environment is driving the nation’s top tech talent to emigrate, potentially setting Russia’s digital development back by decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why does the internet go down in Moscow?
Outages are caused by the FSB overriding mobile infrastructure to neutralize specific apps or prevent the use of towers for external operations, such as drone navigation. - Can I still use Telegram in Russia?
Access is highly sporadic. While VPNs can sometimes bypass blocks, the censorship watchdog has largely restricted the service, and messages often fail to deliver. - Is the government forcing people to use specific apps?
Yes. State-funded organizations are increasingly required to use Max, a government-approved messenger that lacks end-to-end encryption and is integrated with state news channels.
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