Will Russians be left without internet? Putin may be planning to cut citizens off

Since the onset of Ukraine's invasion, Russia has experienced escalating isolation. The Kremlin might intensify this seclusion from the international community to unprecedented levels.

PC Magazine writes that the three Russian regions of Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia were blocked from connecting to internet websites outside the country’s borders.

A local news website cited by PC Magazine claims that people from these three southwestern Russian regions couldn’t access Google, YouTube, Telegram, WhatsApp, nor any other foreign app or website.

Using a VPN, a common method to circumnavigate internet censorship in certain authoritarian countries, proved to be ineffective for Russian users.

Most VPNs are banned by the Moscow government, although demand for them have skyrocketed after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 and the subsequent crackdown on media and political dissidents.

Business Insider writes that some experts speculate that the internet shutdown in Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia could be part of a bigger and more sinister plan.

According to Business Insider, Moscow could be planning to wall off Russia’s internet access from the rest of the world, while granting the Kremlin full access.

PC Magazine highlights that, in parallel to this, Moscow is developing a “sovereign internet” for Russia, with the Kremlin investing 648 million US dollars into the program since at least 2019.

Russia seems to be following the example of North Korea, which uses a national intranet service for its average citizens since the early 2000s.

It’s no secret that Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un have grown closer as Moscow has become increasingly isolated. Maybe they are learning from each other the best ways to keep their population silent and docile.

Never miss a story! Click here to follow The Daily Digest.