Mobile internet blackouts sweep Moscow, leaving residents feeling 'powerless'

Moscow has been hit by a major mobile internet blackout as the Russian government tightens restrictions it has touted as necessary to ensure the “security” of its citizens.

Moscow is in the throes of a major mobile internet blackout as the Russian government tightens restrictions it has touted as necessary to ensure the “security” of its citizens.

The Russian capital has been more or less spared from a wave of systematic mobile internet outages that have hit the country since May, which authorities have said are necessary to counter the threat of Ukrainian drones.

But since the first week of March, Muscovites have also found themselves without connectivity on their phones. The restrictions have disrupted the daily lives of millions of residents and hit businesses that rely on mobile internet, leading Muscovites to revert to cash — and some are questioning whether their government is doing it deliberately.

“No one is happy about this. No one understands why it’s happening, or rather, everyone seems to understand why,” Lera, a Moscow resident who works in the arts industry, told NBC News in a text message Monday. “We feel powerless and unable to influence it. We expect a complete blackout within six months.”

NBC News agreed not to use the last names of those interviewed because they were wary of speaking to foreign media about a sensitive security topic and did not want their personal details shared, fearing possible repercussions.