JAKARTA - Mobile internet connections in the Russian capital Moscow began on Tuesday to be restricted until the Victory Day World War II (Victory Day) warning held this weekend, amid concerns of disruption from Ukraine.
AFP reporters reported no mobile internet in the Russian capital on Tuesday morning, as network providers warned the disruption would last until May 9, when Russia held commemorations in Red Square.
"During the preparation and implementation of the celebration event from May 5 to 9, there may be temporary restrictions on mobile internet and text messages in Moscow and the Moscow region," mobile operator MTS said in a message to its customers, Al Arabiya reported from AFP (6/5).
The Kremlin said it would scale back the massive parade that marked the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany, by excluding cadets and military equipment from the annual show of force on May 9.
Last year, Ukraine sought to disrupt the event by launching a barrage of explosives-laden drones on Moscow, causing travel chaos, with thousands of flights cancelled or delayed.
Internet blackouts have become a frequent part of life in the border region in recent months.
Russia says these periodic blackouts are necessary to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks, which are connected via local networks.
In Moscow on Tuesday, some stores were unable to process card payments amid the blackout, an AFP reporter said.
Automated teller machines, taxi services, and online maps were also affected by the disruption.
Kyiv has stepped up long-range drone attacks in recent weeks, hitting Russian oil facilities and luxury skyscrapers in Moscow.
Ukraine calls it a fair response to the barrage of hundreds of drones Russia fires every night into its cities.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
