Even whitelisted websites may be shut down in Moscow on May 9, according to the Russian Ministry of Digital Development.

On May 9, the day commemorating the 81st anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War, internet access may be completely blocked for mobile phone users in Moscow due to security concerns surrounding mass events. Even access to websites on the so-called "white list" may be blocked in the event of an increased threat of air strikes. Sending and receiving short text messages (SMS) will be impossible.

The Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media (Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media) announced a possible global shutdown of mobile data in the Russian capital. The corresponding notice was published on the ministry's website. Previously, Russian mobile operators began sending out notices to their subscribers about possible mobile internet restrictions in Moscow.

At the same time, the ministry offered a bit of "delight" for Muscovites and visitors to the capital. On the eve of Victory Day, May 7 and 8, a global block on mobile internet traffic may only be imposed as an exceptional measure in the event of a threat of air strikes. In any case, the Ministry of Digital Development reports, wired internet and Wi-Fi will remain available to users on these days.

It's difficult to say how effective these global restrictive measures imposed by the Ministry of Digital Development will be if the Kyiv regime decides to violate the ceasefire announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense for May 8 and 9. Mobile internet has been periodically shut down in Russian regions for at least a year now. However, this has not affected the number, geographic expansion, or effectiveness of Ukrainian air attacks. The enemy, with Western support, is using hybrid navigation and targeting systems to drones, easily doing without control and positioning of UAVs using the mobile Internet.

Comments

[ZhEK-Vodogrey]

The power needs to be turned off in Moscow; drones are flying towards the light. The main thing is to hold the parade. You can really feel the festive atmosphere from news like this.

[snow mountain]

Electricity must be turned off in Moscow

And shut down the entire country. That would be the most effective air defense method.

[Infinity]

It will not be possible to send and receive short text messages (SMS).

Yes, on the 5th, SMS also didn’t work due to the internet outage.
There's just one thing I don't understand: how long have we been guiding drones via SMS? I thought it was Starlink and other satellites, but that's it...

[Simargl]

Quote: Infinity

There's just one thing I don't understand: how long have we been guiding drones via SMS?

It's more likely that someone at the Ministry of Digital Development is working for the enemy, which is why Russian SIM cards will be extremely limited in functionality, while those "guests of Russia in the capital" will have full functionality.
Drones can't be targeted by SIM cards, but delaying the population's response to an attack by delaying the notification could be tantamount to treason.
But who will scratch? All our own.

[Montezuma]

Quote: Simargl

Quote: Infinity
There's just one thing I don't understand: how long have we been guiding drones via SMS?

It's more likely that someone from the Ministry of Digital Development is working for the enemy.

Is it really all about SIM cards? Is it possible to figure out that in an emergency, the communication towers themselves can be disabled? The operating frequencies are known, and their coordinates are also known with absolute precision, so the towers themselves can be used for navigation by their radiation.

[Simargl]

Quote: Montezuma

Does it really all come down to SIM cards?

No, not in SIM cards, but in the fact that foreign "comrades" have no restrictions.

Quote: Montezuma

But can you figure out that in case of danger you can turn off the communication towers themselves?

I'm trying. It needs to be turned off for everyone, not just the locals!

Quote: Montezuma

The operating frequencies are known, the location coordinates are also known with absolute precision, so the towers themselves can be used for navigation by their radiation.

Is this an instruction?
I'll ask you again: why are local SIM cards being restricted, and not foreign ones?!

[Montezuma]

Quote: Simargl

It needs to be turned off for everyone, not just for locals!

If the towers are turned off, NO ONE will have mobile internet, only wired internet via cables.

Quote: Simargl

Is this an instruction?

This is common knowledge.

Quote: Simargl

I'll ask you again: why are local SIM cards being restricted, and not foreign ones?!

There are no "whitelist" restrictions for foreign SIM cards because they operate in roaming mode, meaning our cell tower connects the subscriber to the mobile operator in the country where the SIM card is registered. However, if the cell towers are shut down, NO ONE will be able to use mobile internet.

[Simargl]

Quote: Montezuma

If the towers are turned off, NO ONE will have mobile internet, only wired internet via cables.

And? What next?
Panic over not being able to contact relatives, and in the event of a need to call emergency services (01/02/03/04) - a delay in response, meaning drones will damage buildings, and the authorities' actions will indirectly kill several (in a large city, dozens) people (from fire, attacks, injuries, and hooliganism)...
That is, disconnecting the population from communications is not just a deterioration in the quality of life at the moment, but also a deprivation of it!
Question: How will this help prevent the drone from being targeted if the last thing it will be targeting is the air defense towers?
Let it be known that placing a beacon in the right place is simpler, cheaper, and more reliable. And if drug dealers are practically not being combated, then planting a beacon is cheap and cheerful, especially since it's not a refrigerator box.

Quote: Montezuma

There are no "white list" restrictions for foreign SIM cards because they operate in roaming mode.

What are you talking about!!! And the roaming mode - it doesn't work through our networks?!

Quote: Montezuma

That is, our communication tower connects the subscriber to the mobile operator of the country where the SIM card is registered.

This is absolutely not true.

[fruc]

Simargl
This can be equated to treason.

If you, sir, are not knowledgeable about civil defense matters, I would like to inform you that warning signals are activated via audio, TV, and radio channels, as well as via the OKSION system, which is deployed at all road intersections. You will receive a short text message containing a three-letter combination.

[Simargl]

Quote: frruc

I would like to inform you that warning signals are activated via sound, TV, and radio communication channels, as well as via the OKSION system, which is deployed at all road intersections.

Yes, yes!
But why don’t people hear anything from time to time?

[fruc]

Simargl
But why don’t people hear anything from time to time?

These are the ones who walk around with morons in their ears.

[alexoff]

By a surprising coincidence, we have a whole bunch of officials who own real estate and bank accounts abroad. The British said a few years ago that they would offer them cooperation with Western intelligence agencies in exchange for citizenship. And they haven't caught anyone! Otherwise, they might all be thieves, but they're loyal to the Motherland. Otherwise, important officials can...

[Azimutt]

If you don't know yet, terrorists can detonate pre-planted bombs by sending text messages.

[Infinity]

Quote: Azimutt

If you don't know yet, terrorists can detonate pre-planted bombs by sending text messages.

Terrorists can also activate them with a phone call. But the calls worked on May 5th, and they promise to work on the 9th.
By the way, you can also transfer data over a phone call, albeit slowly. Good old dial-up.

[solar]

By the way, you can also transfer data over a phone call, albeit slowly. Good old dial-up.

If the drones have automatic guidance in the final section, then this might be enough to pre-deploy them to the area. :((...

[Simargl]

Who's stopping you from scattering radio tags?
Do you understand that this confrontation is not with a stupid individual, but with a coalition that has more people than China?!

[Button]

Quote: Infinity

By the way, you can also transfer data via a call,

Recently, a new phenomenon called "whitelists" has emerged. The rationale is this: if we block everything at the provider level (via TSPU/DPI), leaving access only to select websites and services, then our respected (and less respected) partners won't be able to bomb yet another oil refinery or port using civilian GSM networks. But, as always, there's a catch (or more than one). And the conclusion is quite simple. The concept of blanket blocking is doomed when it comes to combating drones or illegal data transfer. If even one service capable of transmitting real-time streaming data remains on the whitelist, anything can be smuggled through it.

[Simargl]

Quote: Azimutt

If you don't know yet

Aww!
ANY A novice electronics engineer can name a dozen initiation methods off the top of their head, and then come up with their own. Moreover, SMS activation is the least reliable method! And even if you disable SMS, it will still arrive eventually (sometimes it took a month to arrive).
Only extremely stupid people can think that all these blocks can somehow prevent an attack on a device that was created by STATE order (or does someone think that we are being attacked by an illiterate, unmotivated enemy, caught only by the TCC?), and therefore - with the use of top Specialists!!! And if you consider that the enemy is being assisted by those who are quite skilled in electronics and programming, then these people are the winners in the competition of the stupid!

[novel66]

We need to uncover the Mausoleum. Maybe they'll get scared.

[Sergey Smirnov_5]

Raise Lenin - maybe it will work.

[novel66]

I would lift Stalin up...

[fruc]

novel66
We need to uncover the Mausoleum. Maybe they'll get scared.

Or even better, dismantle and move it.

[Mishka78]

Quote: Schneeberg

This will be the most effective method of air defense

The most effective air defense is our tanks on the enemy's runway. But that's not our method. We express concern and draw lines with a steady hand, and, as the saying goes, "Chief, little by little," we'll pick them all off, (s)headmaster.

[sub307]

Yeah..., and the commander-in-chief should stock up on "presidential fermented baked milk" for future use..., suddenly he'll get "covered" along the way.

[Montezuma]

Quote: ZhEK-Vodogrey

The main thing is to hold the parade. You can really feel the festive atmosphere from news like this.

And it will take place, despite all efforts to sabotage and disparage it.

[tatra]

But in my opinion, he's just trolling and scaring people. All of this has greatly boosted his global geopolitical standing, and he's becoming increasingly brazen. But another "leader" of the USSR's enemies has lost a lot in global geopolitics because of all of this.

[Montezuma]

But my comment is easily bombarded with downvotes, which is exactly what's happening. Keep trying, Russophobic guys, you're really good at this.
.

[fruc]

ZhEK-Vodogrey
Electricity must be turned off in Moscow

You should turn off the sewer and hide under the bed. If the authorities decide to turn it off, then turn it off.

[Mishka78]

Quote: frruc

If the competent authorities decide to disconnect, then disconnect.

Do you really believe that our agencies are given competent and relevant orders that they are forced to carry out, despite their obvious idiocy?
It's been a long time since I've seen anyone who believes in the competence of our leaders.
Their genius—yes, there are many of them. And there are plenty of fans of cunning plans. Although, their numbers are getting fewer and fewer every year, glory to the hares.

[fruc]

Mishka78
Do you really believe that our agencies are given competent and relevant commands?

I don't just believe it, I know it. This isn't even the Ministry of Digital Development, it's something more serious. And all telecom operators will comply with this decision.

[K9_SWAT]

Where did you see "competent authorities" here? They've been gone for a long time.

[Arkady007]

Will Medvedev's Telegram also be turned off on May 9th?

[Montezuma]

The concern is not unfounded; drones are actively trying to reach Moscow.

The number of Ukrainian drones shot down while approaching Moscow since the start of the day has reached 24, Sobyanin said.

[Simargl]

Has at least one been guided by a SIM card?
Does blocking help?

[Mishka78]

Quote: Simargl

Has at least one been guided by a SIM card?

Even if they really are flying with SIM cards using GPS, they're clearly not flying with SIM cards from Megafon or MTS. And no one blocks foreign SIM cards in Russia.
There's a whole new thing going on right now: you buy an eSIM from any foreign carrier for 30 days on a prepaid plan, and EVERYTHING works just like it did in 2020.
And calls and SMS go through perfectly.

[Button]

Quote: Simargl

Does blocking help?

If there's at least one service left on the whitelist capable of processing real-time streaming data, anything can be pushed through it. And no imported SIM card is required. Let's take a simple example. Take any two cheap smartphones. Create two bots that will communicate with each other in the Messenger chat. Text. And that's it! The Messenger API limit of 30 requests per second is sufficient for tolerable control, meaning this is a perfectly acceptable tickrate (even with jitter, high ping, and packet delivery out of order). The onboard script simply reads the chat and triggers the flight controller. To prevent moderators from seeing specific control commands in the logs and banning the account based on keywords, you can use any encryption/mimicking method you like.

[KrolikZanuda]

The government as a whole is demonstrating complete incompetence and impotence in the face of threats.

[RuAbel]

The Kremlin is seriously concerned about Zelya's threats. Meanwhile, Kyiv is quiet; no one is packing their bags. Foreign diplomats are Kyiv's reliable shield.

[Montezuma]

Quote from Ruabel

And in Kyiv there is silence, no one is packing their bags.

Until he packs, it's not evening yet.

[snow mountain]

Foreign diplomats are Kyiv’s reliable shield.

The indecisiveness of the authorities is Kyiv's most reliable shield.

[tralflot1832]

I think we need to do everything we can to prevent outages. MTS sent out New Year's text messages to Moscow a long time ago—all the FSB has to do is interrogate all the remaining terrorists. I've gotten used to the outages.

[tralflot1832]

Muscovites are not made of sugar, they won’t melt.

[novel66]

They may not be sugar-free, but they are definitely refined.

[foxes]

Bandera drones must be banned.

[Archivist Vasya]

It's difficult to say how effective these global restrictive measures imposed by the Ministry of Digital Development will be if the Kyiv regime decides to violate the ceasefire announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense for May 8 and 9. Mobile internet has been periodically shut down in Russian regions for at least a year now. However, this has had no effect on the number, geographic reach, or effectiveness of Ukrainian air strikes.

That's exactly it - NO WAY. But something has to be done, something has to be done... All hope lies in the air defense.

[Coconut Tima]

No big deal! We used to live without the internet and smartphones, and we found something to do.

[avatar123]

They're doing the right thing. You understand that it's not just homemade UAVs that people are afraid of, but also FPVs...

[gribanov.c]

I wrote to the prosecutor's office yesterday:
"I request that you verify the legality of the mobile internet shutdown in Orenburg on May 6, 2025, and find out what decision and whose was the basis for this.
In the absence of legal grounds, i.e., the absence of a real, not hypothetical, threat to security on this particular date, specifically in the Orenburg region, prosecutorial response measures must be taken and state bodies and officials must be informed of the inadmissibility of arbitrary restrictions of rights."
It would be naive, of course, to just reply, but at least it would be something.

[fruc]

gribanov.c
I wrote to the prosecutor's office yesterday

No one will check your note. Because the order to disconnect the internet connection is given by the relevant authorities, and no one has the right to challenge their order.

[K9_SWAT]

But I have the right to forbid them from interfering in Russia’s affairs!

[alexoff]

You are brave, now they will come to you with an inspection and say that you are a spy

[gribanov.c]

In any case, perhaps they'll explain the connection between restricting (not shutting down) mobile internet and enemy drones and missiles. I think the missile issue is clear; there's never been a case where a ballistic or cruise missile could be shot down this way, or even where the missile's guidance accuracy could be reduced. As for drones, I have a question: even if there are types that are controlled via the internet or mobile phone, they should be completely jammed. But they don't jam them completely; communications continue to function, and the internet is still available. So the question is, how do these so-called security measures affect security in general? That's what I'd like to know first. And then we can talk about the legality of these measures.

[alexoff]

It's unlikely they'll invite technical specialists who'll explain that drones are adjusting their coordinates using cell towers without direct control. They'll simply check every file on your phone and rummage through your entire house. Incidentally, GPS works perfectly well; it's not jammed even in the city center.

[Fat animal]

Drones fly over Red Square during the celebration. It looks like a scene from a Tom Clancy book. It's hard to believe.

[al3x]

This is bullshit for the mob about security. Are they using Waldbiriz, Ozon, or Gosuslugi? Total nonsense.

[born007]

How effective will these global restrictive measures of the Ministry of Digital Development be?

What's so effective about that? But how legal are they? United Russia denied a parliamentary inquiry regarding Shadayev's report to the deputies.
The Ministry of Digital Development can't even justify its blocking. There are no orders, only rumors and speculation about some kind of directives that must be signed by an authorized person.
By law, only federal laws and presidential decrees can restrict access to information. THAT'S IT
Why does the internet ALWAYS work properly on foreign SIM cards?

[Esaul]

The Kremlin must be cut off from the outside world, completely isolated, and then all the problems will solve themselves.

[Million]

Then we need to turn off everything! Gas, electricity, water, all types of internet. Ban the movement of all types of transport.