Blackout Hits Moscow as Victory Day Begins

Mobile internet and telecom services across Moscow and the surrounding region went dark for hours on May 5, coinciding with rehearsals for the upcoming Victory Day military parade, according to multiple reports including The Moscow Times.

The blackout began around 11:00 a.m. local time and affected nearly all major Russian providers, including MTS, Megafon, Beeline, Yota, SberMobile, and T2.

Users also reported issues with messaging platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp, as confirmed by data from monitoring sites Downdetector and Sboy.rf, which showed a sharp spike in complaints.

Authorities Blame “Security Measures”

The disruption was linked to security protocols surrounding Victory Day celebrations on May 9, particularly rehearsals for the air show component of the annual parade.

An SMS alert sent to Moscow residents from the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry warned of temporary internet restrictions due to “holiday event security measures.”

“Internet access may be restricted due to security arrangements during holiday events,” the message read.

While some assumed a technical issue was to blame, Beeline’s press office stated that the blackout stemmed from “reasons beyond the operator’s control.”

“We recommend using Wi-Fi to access the internet,” the company added, according to RIA Novosti.

Growing Trend of Blackouts During State Events

This isn’t the first time Russia has imposed communications blackouts during key state events.

In recent years, digital disruptions have occurred during Putin’s high-profile speeches, military parades, and protest crackdowns, part of a broader pattern of state-controlled information management.

The use of temporary internet restrictions as a national security tool has drawn concern from civil society groups and free speech advocates. Critics say the Kremlin increasingly turns to preemptive digital blackouts as a form of crowd control and information suppression.