Occupied Kherson region cut off from Ukrainian TV as Russian forces block information
Illustrative photo: Temporarily occupied territories left without Ukrainian TV (Freepik)
In the temporarily occupied parts of Kherson Oblast, the Russian occupation administration has effectively imposed an information blackout on the local population, according to the Center of National Resistance.
According to the Center of National Resistance, the occupation authorities initially forced residents to remove Ukrainian satellite dishes, compelling people to отказаться from Ukrainian television and switch to so-called "Russian World" TV kits.
Now, however, residents of the region have been left without any signal at all for more than six months: the dishes remain in place, but there is no broadcasting, and appeals from the population are being ignored.
Sources cited by the Center say this is not a technical failure but a deliberately organized operation aimed at isolating people from alternative sources of information.
"The goal is simple: to deprive residents of any alternative picture of the world and push them into a vacuum where only Kremlin Telegram channels with disinformation and street propaganda remain," the analysts say.
At the same time, raids and inspections of homes and yards continue. The occupation authorities are searching for Ukrainian satellite dishes or attempts to reconnect independently. Residents are threatened with fines, inclusion in so-called "preventive databases," and visits by security forces.
"In practice, the region is being turned into an information prison, where access to the truth is punished," the Center concluded.
Escalation of Russian propaganda
In 2026 Russia plans to spend twice as much as originally envisaged on television propaganda. The funds are to be channelled to entertainment networks and Kremlin-aligned broadcasters, including Channel One Russia, Russia-1, and NTV.
In total, the Kremlin plans to allocate almost 246 billion rubles (about $2.93 billion) for television propaganda in 2026–2028.
At the same time, Russia is tightening control over social media. A draft law would require bloggers and major online platforms to distribute state messaging, mandating that advertising promoting so-called "traditional values", "patriotism" and "culture" account for at least 5% of all advertising content. Large public channels and social media accounts would also be obliged to carry such material.
RBC-Ukraine has also reported increased control over residents of Crimea, where internet access may be cut without prior warning.
According to the Center of National Resistance, security agencies insist that shutdowns be carried out during "sensitive periods," such as during strikes, high-profile incidents or rising social discontent. Mobile internet is viewed as a risk because it enables rapid self-organisation, documentation of abuses and the spread of unofficial information.
