Russian-backed Separatists In Eastern Ukraine Block Google

JAKARTA - Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, who want to secede, have blocked access to the Google search engine. This was confirmed by their leader on Friday, July 22, because of the problem he called "disinformation".

In a message posted on his Telegram channel, Denis Pushilin, head of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), accused Google of promoting "violence against all Russians" and said that "its handlers from the US government" were to blame.

"If Google stops pursuing its criminal policies and returns to the mainstream of law, morality and common sense, there will be no hindrance in its work," Pushilin said.

However, he did not provide evidence to support his claim. While Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report.

Since sending troops into Ukraine on February 24, Russia and its proxies in eastern Ukraine have accused Western companies of spreading anti-Russian propaganda and taking a unilateral stance in the conflict.

Russia banned Facebook and Instagram in March after a court found Facebook Meta's owner guilty of "extremist activity". Moscow has also restricted access to Facebook as it restricts Russian media access to the platform.

The DPR and the separate Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) followed suit by blocking Facebook and Instagram. They align themselves with Russia's policies on US-based social networks.