Internet blackouts: Russia tops global anti-ranking in 2025
Photo: internet shutdowns in Russia (Getty Images)
By the end of 2025, Russia ranked first globally in the scale of internet shutdowns, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation under Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine.
According to data from monitoring platforms, the total duration of internet blackouts in Russia in 2025 amounted to 37,166 hours.
The economic losses caused by restrictions on internet access are estimated at $11.9 billion.
For comparison, Venezuela, which ranked second in the global list, spent 5,952 hours without internet access over the year, six times less than Russia.
"This gap is hard not to see as telling for a country that has for years declared its commitment to ‘digital sovereignty,’" the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD) noted.
Analysts say the scale of internet shutdowns in Russia can no longer be explained by standard arguments about "fighting fraud" or "security concerns." Instead, they describe a systemic approach affecting dozens of regions and gradually becoming a routine tool of governance.
"Internet shutdowns in Russia have effectively become an instrument of state policy. During blackouts, only resources from a Kremlin-approved ‘whitelist’ remain accessible," the CCD emphasized.
Analysts argue this reflects a deliberate strategy by Russian authorities aimed at achieving complete digital isolation of the population.
Digital control in Russia
Russia is tightening control over social media. The Federation Council plans to require bloggers by law to disseminate state propaganda advertising, mandating that at least 5% of all advertising on major platforms promote "traditional values," "patriotism," and "culture."
The requirement would also apply to owners of large public channels and social media accounts.
In addition, controls are being intensified in Crimea, where internet access may be cut without prior warning. According to reports, security agencies push for shutdowns during "inconvenient periods", amid strikes, high-profile events, or rising social discontent.
Mobile internet is viewed as a particular risk due to its role in rapid public self-organization, documenting abuses, and spreading unofficial information.
