Carriers have started sending messages to Moscow residents about possible restrictions on mobile internet in the city. No, this is not a complete nationwide shutdown across Russia as was previously predicted. For now, the wording is standard — connectivity issues due to security measures. The key thing to understand: with such restrictions, your phone doesn’t turn into a brick, but your usual apps and websites may simply stop loading.
Moscow residents received messages saying that internet in the city will be unavailable today
Internet Problems in Moscow
According to the latest reports, Russian carriers have warned Moscow residents about possible mobile internet issues. The text of MegaFon’s mass message states that the region may experience connectivity problems due to security measures. The Ministry of Digital Development insists this is all fake. However, it’s better to be prepared for internet shutdowns in advance regardless.
An important nuance: this specifically concerns mobile internet, meaning access to the network via a SIM card. Calls and SMS are not separately mentioned in these messages, which means cellular voice service will most likely continue working, as will Wi-Fi. Although even regarding mobile connectivity, carriers don’t specify the exact scope of restrictions, so you shouldn’t count on stable internet from your phone in advance.
What Will Work Without Mobile Internet: The Whitelist
When network access is restricted, only sites and services from the so-called whitelist remain functional. This is a list of resources that stay accessible even when the rest of the internet is unavailable:
- Social networks. VKontakte, Odnoklassniki.
- Messenger. MAKS.
- Video services. Rutube, Okko, Ivi, Premier.
- Marketplaces. Ozon, Wildberries, Megamarket.
- Banks. Alfa-Bank, VTB, PSB, Gazprombank.
- Telecom operators. Beeline, MegaFon, MTS, T2, Rostelecom, Motiv, T-Mobile, SberMobile, Er-Telecom, VTB-Mobile, Next Mobile.
- Restaurants and stores. Vkusno i Tochka, Burger King, VkusVill, Auchan, Spar, Metro, Petrovich, Detsky Mir, Lenta, Okay, Dodo Pizza.
- Media. RIA Novosti, Argumenty i Fakty, Vedomosti, Vitrina TV, Duma TV, TV3, Vmeste-RF, Gazeta.ru, Domashny, Zvezda, Kommersant, NTV, OTR, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Lenta.ru, Match TV, Mir, Moskovsky Komsomolets, Muz TV, Parlamentskaya Gazeta, Channel One, TNT, RT, Pyatnitsa, Channel Five, Radioplayer, Rambler, RBC, Ren TV, TVTs, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Spas, VGTRK, STS, Channel 360°, Solovyov Live, Sport24.
- Websites. Gosuslugi, Mir payment system, State Duma, websites of the Government and the Presidential Administration of Russia, federal DEG platform, agencies and services, federal ministries, Federal Treasury, Federation Council, regional governments, state information systems, General Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Emergency Situations, Federal Tax Service, Central Bank, Moscow Exchange, GIS ZhKKh, Rosseti, Obyasnyaem.RF, information resource “Year-End Results with Vladimir Putin,” Gismeteo, Caesar Satellite, Dzen information platform, Dvizheniye Pervykh, HeadHunter, Aeroflot, Pobeda, LizaAlert, Dobro.rf, All-Russia People’s Front, Russian Society Znanie, Ruwiki, Roskachestvo, GLONASS, Rosatom, Rostec, Rosneft, Nornickel, KHL.
- Services. Yandex, Mail.ru, DomClick, Avito, Chestny Znak digital marking system, Tutu.ru travel portal, 2GIS navigator, RZD, Grand Service Express, Russian Post, Maxim taxi, Citydrive, Delovye Linii, Rosatom Charging Station Network, Kuper delivery, Samokat, SDEK, Inspector app for remote business inspections, Tenzor, SKB Kontur electronic document management, Evotor online cash registers, Rosagroleasing, Delimobil, BelkaCar, TrueConf, 1C, Digital Solutions for Regions, HRlink, GIS EPD.
- Medical applications. A separate category added to the list in April 2026. These include continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system apps (Yuwell Anytime, Follow Anytime, Anytime, Anytime Follow, POCTech CGM, DiaNyanya, iCan Health, iCan Reach, Syai Link, FreeStyle LibreLink, FreeStyle Libre 2, Glutec, Lumiflex, Lumiflex Linx, Lumipod, Hematonix, Hematonix Max, MQ CGM, Medtrum EasyPatch, Medtrum EasyTouch, Medtrum EasyFollow, Medtrum EasySense), as well as remote health monitoring systems — M-Line Diabetes Remote Control, Satellite Online, IoMT.Istok, Inme. This also includes Medsi clinics, Mother and Child, and the Dostavista service. For people with diabetes who depend on glucose monitoring data, this is critically important.
In practice, this means that everyday things may be affected by the restriction: Telegram and WhatsApp messengers, Google Maps, some taxi services, delivery services, and even QR code payments, not to mention other apps that require internet access.
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How Mobile Internet Differs from Wi-Fi During Moscow’s Connectivity Shutdown
The restriction applies to mobile internet via SIM card. Home and office Wi-Fi over wired connections usually operates under different rules and typically remains accessible during such restrictions. Therefore, the simplest way to stay connected to the internet is to connect to stable Wi-Fi in advance wherever you’ll be.
If it’s critical for you to access necessary services while on the street or on the go, you should plan a backup option in advance: check whether wired internet is available nearby and don’t rely solely on mobile networks.
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How to Prepare for Mobile Internet Shutdown
You can’t completely bypass the restriction, but you can reduce the inconvenience if you prepare in advance. Here’s what makes sense to do:
- Download offline maps of the area you need so you’re not left without navigation
- Save important addresses, contacts, and tickets to your phone’s memory or on paper
- Remember that for payments, it’s better to have cash or a physical card on hand
- Let your loved ones know in advance how to reach you if the internet goes down
- Keep your phone charged and bring a portable battery if needed
If you have home internet, keep devices that can work over Wi-Fi handy.
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Should You Panic About the Internet Shutdown Message in Moscow?
There’s no need to panic. Carrier messages are a warning, not a signal that connectivity will disappear forever. Calls and SMS usually remain available, and restrictions primarily affect mobile internet in a specific region.
The main thing is not to make plans that entirely depend on mobile internet: payments, navigation, ride-hailing, and communication through messengers should all be backed up in advance. Then even with restrictions, you’ll stay connected and won’t find yourself in an awkward situation in the middle of the city.
