May 4, 2026

Operators Warned Moscow Residents About Mobile Internet and SMS Shutdowns Before May 9

Beeline sent messages to clients stating that mobile internet and SMS might be shut down in Moscow from May 5 to May 9. Nova Gazeta Europe learned about this. An example of a message from Beeline. Photo: Nova Gazeta Europe. "To ensure security measures in Moscow, temporary restrictions on mobile internet and SMS may occur during the preparation and conduct of festive events from May 5 to May 9," the operator's message states. Beeline advised Moscow residents to use Wi-Fi for internet access and VoLTE function in smartphone settings for voice calls. Updated May 4. By the evening of May 4, MTS and MegaFon also warned about possible communication and internet restrictions. Both operators sent notifications to subscribers, also citing security measures ahead of May 9 as the reason. Earlier, two sources told BBC Russian Service that communication restrictions in Moscow before the May 9 parade would be much stronger than before. According to them, on May 5, 7, and 9, all mobile communication within the Moscow Ring Road in the Russian capital, and possibly even SMS and "white list" operations, will be restricted. This year, the Victory Parade on Red Square in Moscow will take place without military equipment for the first time in 19 years, the Ministry of Defense reported. Students of Suvorov military schools, Nakhimov schools, and cadet corps will not participate in the event. The military department explained these measures by the "current operational situation." Vladimir Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov explained that the decision was made "due to Kyiv's terrorist activity" and because the year is not an anniversary. Last year, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Victory, the Kremlin first tested mass internet shutdowns in the capital. Since the morning of May 7, 2025, Muscovites began reporting mobile communication and internet outages. In the summer of 2025, the first internet shutdowns were registered in the regions. Subsequently, the blockages increased - and after Putin signed a law in February 2026 allowing the FSB to disable communication, they became truly massive. Authorities justify communication shutdowns by protection against drones. In border regions actively attacked by drones, the frequency of shutdowns is always high. However, this practice has gradually spread to regions where there have been no shelling at all. And despite the shutdowns, the number of drone attacks is almost continuously increasing.