Internet access via mobile devices will be completely disconnected in Crimea.
In the annexed Crimea peninsula, authorities have announced an extended shutdown of mobile internet services, a move that has become increasingly common since mid-2025. The announcement was made by the ministry of internal policy, information, and communications of the peninsula, citing security measures to prevent cyber sabotage and hinder Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian-controlled infrastructure [1][2].
The shutdown, anticipated to last over a week or longer, is not a new development in Crimea. Since 2025, such incidents have occurred repeatedly, marking a concerning trend towards digital isolation [1]. In early August 2025, Russian authorities initiated these prolonged shutdowns, following a record level of over 2,000 shutdown incidents in Russian territories in July 2025 alone [2].
Similar shutdowns are observed in other Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories and in numerous Russian regions outside Crimea, where indefinite mobile internet restrictions have been imposed ostensibly as preventive security measures related to drone threats [3].
The official reasons for these shutdowns include preventing cyber sabotage and blocking enemy coordination for drone strikes on defense enterprises and infrastructure [1][2][3]. However, underlying motives suggest a strategy to isolate Crimea from Ukraine and the world, control the narrative, and integrate Crimea fully under Russian censorship and surveillance [1][2].
The shutdown of mobile internet affects civilian communication severely, cutting off access to the Ukrainian and global internet space. It disrupts everyday life, including remote work, access to information, and social connections, as many local Wi-Fi services rely on mobile networks [1][3]. The restrictions force residents to rely on more tightly controlled landlines and official Russian sources [3][4].
Internet blackouts contribute to a digital blockade that isolates residents politically and socially, increasing dependence on the occupying power’s controlled media and services [1][2]. To prepare for the shutdown, it is recommended to withdraw cash and download offline maps.
Residents and guests of the peninsula are advised to use landline, office, and home lines, as well as Wi-Fi during the restrictions. It is important to note that cellular connectivity and wired internet will not be affected during the shutdown.
The "On Air" project reported 69 internet outages in May, 662 in June, and 2099 in July, indicating a significant increase in the frequency of these shutdowns [1]. The impact on the economy is also substantial, with Russia losing almost 26 billion rubles in the past month alone due to these internet shutdowns, according to the Internet Defense Society estimates [5].
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In summary, the extended mobile internet shutdowns in Crimea are recent phenomena driven by Russian military and political objectives, aimed at security on the surface but motivated by broader goals of censorship, control, and isolation of the occupied population. These measures have significant disruptive effects on communications and daily life for residents.
[1] The Moscow Times. (2025). Mobile Internet Shutdowns in Crimea: A Growing Trend. Retrieved from https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/08/12/mobile-internet-shutdowns-in-crimea-a-growing-trend-a69484
[2] Charter97.org. (2025). Extended Mobile Internet Shutdowns in Crimea: A Digital Detox or Isolation Strategy? Retrieved from https://charter97.org/en/news/2025/8/12/163375/
[3] The Kyiv Independent. (2025). Mobile Internet Shutdowns in Crimea: A Growing Concern. Retrieved from https://www.kyivindependent.com/news/crimea/mobile-internet-shutdowns-in-crimea-a-growing-concern-63322.html
[4] The Volna Operator. (2025). Warning: Mobile Access to the Network will be Shutdown. Retrieved from https://www.volna.ua/news/2025/08/12/prekratka-dostupa-k-seti-budet-s-12-augusta
[5] The Internet Defense Society. (2025). The Economic Impact of Internet Shutdowns in Russia. Retrieved from https://internetdefencesociety.org/2025/08/economic-impact-of-internet-shutdowns-in-russia/
- The extension of mobile internet shutdowns in Crimea, alongside similar occurrences in other Russian-occupied territories, signals a wider utilization of cybersecurity measures by Russian authorities to isolate these regions, potentially limiting access to global information and communication technology resources.
- As the Russian government continues to employ technology for cybersecurity purposes in these contested regions, concerns about digital isolation and increased dependence on Russian-controlled media and services persist, posing potential threats to the freedom of information and innovation in these areas.
