Occupied parts of Ukraine face internet blackout: Google Play and VPN blocked
Melitopol left without mobile internet (Illustrative photo: GettyImages)
Since mid-September, residents of Melitopol have faced communication restrictions: mobile internet has been blocked, and access to popular services is limited, according to the National Resistance Center.
Since mid-September, mobile internet has completely disappeared in Melitopol. Residents report that services such as Google Play and VPNs are blocked, and having these apps on devices can cause problems at checkpoints. These measures are used by the occupiers to isolate the population and control information.
Alternative communication methods
The Russian authorities recommend using offline maps, carrying cash, and listening to the radio for information. Meanwhile, Russian platforms, including Rutube, continue to operate without restrictions.
Challenges for families
Residents of the occupied territories are facing difficulties communicating with relatives in Ukraine-controlled areas. Mobile network restrictions and internet blockages make it much harder to stay in touch and share information.
Vladimir Putin’s regime intends to grant militants two hectares of Ukrainian land for participating in military actions, reflecting the colonial nature of the aggression. According to the National Resistance Center, the Russians plan to register the seized Ukrainian land in the names of militants, demonstrating that the Kremlin’s war is not merely military but also colonial in character.
Russia plans to intensify the mobilization of Ukrainians in temporarily occupied territories. At the same time, due to resource shortages, the occupiers will rely on conscripting draftees and pressuring detainees and prisoners.
