Fear in Moscow as Putin tightens internet grip

Fear, anger and uncertainty are rising in Russia as citizens push back against sweeping internet crackdowns—and risk being watched for doing so.

Just steps from the Kremlin, dozens queued to submit petitions demanding Vladimir Putin ease restrictions choking daily life. But even this legal act came with a chilling edge—security officers filmed them from across the street.

“I’m very scared,” admitted Yulia, trembling as she waited. Yet she stood firm, part of a growing wave of frustration as the state tightens its grip on cyberspace.

The crackdown has been swift and disruptive. Messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp have been restricted, while mobile internet outages and shutdowns have become widespread.

Putin has acknowledged the disruption, linking it to efforts to prevent terrorist attacks, but insists essential services should remain unaffected.

For many, that reassurance rings hollow. Yulia, who runs a catering business, says her website has repeatedly gone offline. “We are losing money every time there is a blocking,” she said. “Without internet access… it will not exist.”

Officials argue the measures protect public safety. They claim blackouts help confuse Ukrainian attack drones, even though strikes have continued in affected areas.

At the same time, regulators are targeting VPNs and promoting a state-backed messaging app, MAX, as part of a push for a “sovereign internet”.

But trust is thin. Former MP Boris Nadezhdin warned many fear the new platform exists to monitor private messages. In parts of Russia, only government-approved services now function on mobile networks.

Critics say the country is sliding towards a digital “Iron Curtain”. Journalist Andrei Kolesnikov argues the aim is to isolate Russians from outside ideas deemed “poisonous”.

The backlash is growing—and spreading beyond activists. In Vladimir, 120 miles from Moscow, campaigner Yulia Grekova tried to organise a protest, only to be blocked at every turn.

Authorities rejected venues, citing everything from street cleaning to drone threats. Police later visited her workplace and issued a warning. “I felt like some kind of terrorist,” she said.

Across Russia, similar protests have been shut down. Reasons range from Covid concerns to a roller-skating event in Penza—fueling claims of systematic suppression.

On the streets, daily life is already shifting. Apps fail, payments stall, and navigation systems glitch. “Today I couldn’t pay for petrol,” said Denis, while others report losing customers and struggling to stay informed.

Yet not everyone resists. Some, like Maria walking with her baby, admit fatigue. “We’re tired of news about people being killed,” she said, choosing to tune out.

The Kremlin insists the measures are temporary. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said security concerns demand action, promising services will return to normal when possible.

But critics are unconvinced. Kolesnikov warns repression may only deepen, with public irritation steadily building beneath the surface.

Signs of that anger are already visible. Celebrity blogger Victoria Bonya posted a viral video accusing authorities of creating a “huge, thick wall” between leaders and ordinary people.

Putin has acknowledged the disruption, urging officials to show “ingenuity and professionalism” while considering citizens’ needs. But there has been no sign of a rollback.

Recent surveys suggest his approval ratings have fallen to their lowest since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Economic worries and war fatigue are adding to the strain.

For many Russians, the future feels uncertain. Conversations now stretch only days or weeks ahead. As Yulia returns to baking bread, she reflects on generations forced to adapt—from Soviet upheaval to today’s digital clampdown.

Now, she says, it’s her turn. And like millions across Russia, she’s bracing for what comes next.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr510de17jlo