Mobile internet access to be temporarily restricted in Moscow on May 9

Mobile internet and SMS services in Moscow will face temporary restrictions on May 9, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation announced. These measures are being implemented to ensure the security of the Victory Day celebrations, a significant national holiday commemorating the end of World War II. While the exact scope of the restrictions is not fully detailed, the ministry indicated that access to certain online services may also be affected. Importantly, the ministry clarified that no mobile internet outages are planned for May 7 or 8. This announcement follows recent reports from users across Russia experiencing disruptions to mobile applications, taxi services, and other online platforms. These incidents have been attributed to heightened security measures in anticipation of and during major public events. For residents of Moscow, this temporary disruption is a familiar consequence of large-scale public gatherings, particularly those with significant security considerations like Victory Day, underscoring the state's priority on maintaining order during such events.