A massive internet outage has affected Russia, blocking banks, state services, and gaming platforms. Authorities have not provided clear explanations.

On April 6, Russia was hit by a massive internet outage, simultaneously affecting banks, state services, gaming platforms, and communication applications, in an unprecedented incident. Dozens of essential services, including Sberbank, Alfa-Bank, Telegram, and Steam, became unavailable, suggesting a systemic blockage. The problems arose just a few days after another major incident when banking services were affected, and Roskomnadzor, the internet regulatory authority, was blamed for responsibility. Additionally, the ruling party, United Russia, was affected by its own internet restriction policies, with its website becoming inaccessible in several regions. The Kremlin's control over the online space has increased, aiming to maintain internal stability in the context of the war in Ukraine. Criticism of the authorities has intensified, with Telegram founder Pavel Durov accusing the restrictions of affecting freedom of expression. The internet outage raises questions about the vulnerability of Russia's digital infrastructure and the consequences of aggressive information control policies.