According to Kommersant and the BBC Russian Service, mobile communications will be shut down in Moscow during the May holidays. On May 5, 7, and 9, mobile internet shutdowns are planned in the capital for “security purposes,” but this time it’s not just about the internet — voice calls and SMS may also be affected. For Android smartphone owners, this means several hours with an essentially useless phone.
Mobile communications will be shut down in Moscow during the May holidays. When exactly?
What Dates Are Being Named and How Large-Scale Will the Shutdowns Be
Kommersant’s sources in the telecom market say that internet will not work in Moscow on May 5, 7, and 9. However, another source from the publication claims that restrictions will only apply on May 7, the day of the Victory Parade rehearsal, and May 9, while the scale remains unclear.
Moscow announced dates for mobile internet shutdown
According to other sources, mobile communication restrictions in the capital will be “more severe” than before: authorities plan to restrict all mobile communications and possibly SMS messaging, as well as the operation of “white lists.” White lists are a list of websites that usually remain accessible even when mobile internet is shut down (Gosuslugi, banking apps, and a number of other Russian services).
If the information is confirmed, this means that neither messengers, nor navigation apps, nor mobile payment services will work over the cellular network. Even the minimal set of services from the “white list” may be unavailable.
Restrictions Will Affect All of Moscow Within the MKAD
It is expected that communications will be shut down within the MKAD. Last year, before May 9, Moscow also experienced mobile internet shutdowns. At that time, based on user experience, the situation was worst in the city center, while on the outskirts, service worked intermittently. This time, judging by leaks, the coverage area of restrictions may be significantly wider.
In early March 2026, mobile internet in the capital was already shut down for more than a week and a half due to “external restrictions for security reasons.” Then “white lists” of available websites were enabled in Moscow, and restrictions were fully lifted only on March 24.
Carriers Are Silent, but Putin Has Already Spoken
VimpelCom (Beeline) and MTS did not respond to Kommersant’s inquiry. Rostelecom declined to comment. Representatives of the largest mobile carriers have not yet provided official comments on the new restrictions. This is already a familiar situation: carriers traditionally say that networks are operating normally, and service disruptions are caused by “external restrictions” beyond their control.
Mobile carriers have not yet confirmed information about restrictions
On April 23, Vladimir Putin commented on mobile internet shutdowns in the country for the first time. He emphasized that citizen safety remains a priority, but asked security forces to coordinate their actions with civilian authorities. Advance notification, according to the president, is not possible so as not to “compromise operational intelligence.” However, “white lists” should work in any situation.
Putin instructed the head of the Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, to ensure the operation of the Gosuslugi portal, payment systems, and online doctor appointments even under general restrictions. But if Kommersant’s sources are confirmed, white lists may not work this time.
How to Prepare for the Mobile Internet Shutdown in Moscow
You need to prepare for shutdowns in advance
Experience from last year’s and March shutdowns has already shown what problems Muscovites face. Fortunately, a checklist has already been developed to help you prepare. Here’s what makes sense to do in advance:
- Withdraw cash. Payment via QR code and through mobile banking apps over the cellular network may be unavailable. Cards with contactless payment (NFC) with offline limits may also not work if the terminal requires a connection for authorization.
- Download offline maps. In Yandex Maps and Google Maps, you can pre-download a map of Moscow for navigation without internet.
- Arrange meetings and plans in advance. Messengers and internet calls (WhatsApp, Telegram) will not work. If voice service is also shut down, communication will be impossible altogether.
- Home wired internet and Wi-Fi, based on past restriction experience, continue to work. If you critically need connectivity, plan your activities so that you stay within Wi-Fi range.
- Warn your loved ones. Especially elderly relatives who may not understand why their phone stopped working.
Offline maps and cash — the main preparation for communication shutdowns
For owners of smartwatches running Wear OS and fitness bands, keep in mind: if the watch works through a smartphone via Bluetooth, basic functions (steps, heart rate, time) will be preserved. But notifications, navigation, and any features requiring a network will be unavailable.
Should You Worry About Mobile Internet Shutdowns in Moscow
There have been no separate official announcements about why communications will be shut down on May 9, 2026. All information is based on media sources in the telecom industry, not on direct statements from authorities or carriers. But there is already precedent: the first mass shutdowns coincided with Victory Day preparations in 2025, when all carriers lost mobile network service for several hours.
Given the March 2026 experience, when internet was down for weeks, and last year’s May precedent, this information should be taken seriously. There is no complete certainty about the scale and exact dates, but preparing is wise. In the worst case, you’ll just withdraw some extra cash and download an offline map. In the best case — none of this will be needed.
