Life without internet is new normal in Russian regions
Prolonged mobile internet blackouts have become a routine part of life in many Russian regions, disrupting daily activities
MOSCOW (MNTV) — Prolonged mobile internet blackouts have become a routine part of life in many Russian regions, disrupting daily activities and forcing residents to adapt to a growing digital disconnect.
Authorities in the Ulyanovsk region this month introduced restrictions on mobile internet access, which are expected to remain in place until the end of Moscow’s military operation in Ukraine.
The outages, initially intended for areas near sensitive government and military facilities, have affected entire suburbs of Ulyanovsk, according to local sources cited by The Moscow Times.
Residents in cities such as Ufa, Bashkortostan, report frequent interruptions that hinder navigation, communication, and access to services.
A major Bashneft oil refinery in Ufa, frequently targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes, has prompted authorities to cut mobile internet in adjacent areas, including the city’s airport.
“I order taxis through Wi-Fi at home 100% of the time. Otherwise, I use a bus or walk,” said a resident who requested anonymity.
Bashkortostan head Radiy Khabirov said the outages highlight that the war’s impact is felt domestically: “We need to understand that the special military operation is not somewhere 2,000 kilometers away and that we are also participants in these events.”
The internet disruptions are forcing residents to rely more on cash, with the amount in circulation rising by 659 billion rubles ($8 billion) from July to September — five times the level of the same period last year, Central Bank data shows.
Businesses increasingly use SMS to communicate with clients, and analysts tie the trend directly to the recurring outages.
The independent watchdog Internet Defense Society estimates that the shutdowns cost the Russian economy $295 million per day, with Bashkortostan alone losing $3.9 million daily.
While authorities have promised “white lists” of essential services—including banking apps, government portals, Russian tech platforms, social media, and online marketplaces—users report that access remains inconsistent.
Other regions also experience chronic blackouts.
Ingushetia has faced near-constant mobile jamming since July, prompting residents to rely on landlines, while Dagestan has seen ongoing outages since August.
A native of Dagestan described the situation as akin to “a Native American reservation,” citing lack of internet, unreliable electricity and water, poor roads, and struggling healthcare.
According to Russian Internet Monitor, mobile outages have been reported in at least half of Russia’s regions every day in November.
Residents say the disruptions erode certainty and security, particularly among older generations, and hinder communication and daily routines, with some fearing that the growing digital divide may deepen generational divides.
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