March 19, 2026
“Roskomnadzor should be put on trial”: Belgorod governor voices locals’ complaints over internet shutdowns, says they have led to deaths
People in border areas of Russia’s Belgorod Region “quite often” die because of a lack of mobile internet, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said during a recent live social media broadcast, according to a report by the Telegram channel Govorit NeMoskva

TL;DR
- Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov stated that mobile internet shutdowns in border areas have led to deaths.
- Residents are angered by the shutdowns, blaming Roskomnadzor and arguing that they do not prevent drone attacks.
- Gladkov agreed with the residents' outrage and highlighted the danger of lacking information in frontline regions.
- Authorities are in talks with Moscow to find a compromise solution, despite the difficulty.
- Internet and communication shutdowns are becoming common in Russia, cited as a measure against Ukrainian drone attacks.
- Moscow has also experienced extended shutdowns, impacting businesses and leading residents to use walkie-talkies and wired internet.
- Belgorod, a frontline region, has suffered retaliatory strikes affecting infrastructure and causing displacement.
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