Zelenskyy mocks internet shutdown in Moscow ahead of May 9 parade
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mocked the internet shutdown in Moscow linked to preparations for the May 9 celebrations in his post on X.
"Although it may be difficult to access news in Moscow right now due to frequent internet outages, they can still feel they are losing every day," he wrote.
The President also welcomed the United Kingdom’s sanctions steps targeting 35 individuals and entities. They are linked to the production of Russian drones and the recruitment of foreign nationals to manufacture UAVs and take part in the war against Ukraine.
"Russia must feel that the war must be brought to an end," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Impact of internet outages on Russians
On Tuesday, May 5, Moscow and St. Petersburg were left without mobile internet as authorities prepared for the May 9 events. In Moscow and the region, internet access disappeared around 08:00 a.m., while in St. Petersburg, disruptions began at around 11:30 p.m. on Monday, May 4.
During the outage in Moscow, even the so-called whitelist, which includes websites and services meant to remain accessible when others are blocked, failed to function.
The restrictions caused difficulties in calling taxis and paying for parking in Moscow. Some ATMs also stopped working in the capital due to the mobile internet shutdown.
The Financial Times reported the disruptions may be linked to security measures for the Russian leader and protection against potential drone attacks.
The restrictions also affected people in his inner circle. In particular, cooks, security personnel, and photographers were banned from using public transport and devices with internet access while working near Putin. Moreover, surveillance systems are being installed in their homes.
