Ukraine's intelligence reveals why Russia is building closed digital space
Photo: Russia is tightening control over its digital space (Getty Images)
Russia is gradually tightening its control over the information space and access to global digital platforms, according to Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence.
Vadym Skibitskyi, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, stated during the Kyiv StratCom Forum 2026 that the restriction of international platforms in Russia is part of a long-standing Kremlin strategy.
"What is happening in Russia did not start today, or even in 2022. The isolation of society has been the foundation of the stability of the Putin regime," Skibitskyi emphasized.
Kremlin displaces global platforms
According to Ukraine's intelligence, Russia is gradually shifting its population to services controlled by Russian intelligence agencies. Following the blocking of Facebook and Instagram in 2022, the next phase involved restrictions on YouTube, and in 2026, the Kremlin tightened its grip on Telegram, WhatsApp, and TikTok.
Despite these measures, international services still remain highly popular among Russians:
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Telegram — 71%
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WhatsApp — around 60%
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TikTok — around 54%
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YouTube — around 53%
Military intelligence predicts that these figures could drop significantly in the coming years. This intensifying digital isolation will lead not only to the eradication of independent content but also to the creation of an atmosphere of self-censorship and fear.
"The more severe the state censorship is, and the more the intelligence services control media resources, the more people become afraid to post certain narratives and content," Ukraine's intelligence representative noted.
Residents of Moscow were left without mobile internet on May 9.
The Kremlin has drastically increased security for its leader, Vladimir Putin, due to fears of an assassination attempt, which is already impacting communication networks in Moscow.
