Russia Tightens Internet Control Amid Iran War and Ukrainian Drone Attacks
Moscow is increasingly restricting internet access, citing security concerns related to Ukrainian drone attacks and, according to analysts, a broader effort to suppress dissent and emulate tactics used by allies like Iran. These moves coincide with heightened geopolitical tensions stemming from the ongoing war in Iran and concerns about potential espionage following the assassination of senior Iranian officials.
Internet Restrictions and Censorship
Russia has experienced frequent internet outages since May 2025, impacting both fixed and mobile connections. On March 5, 2026, the government further restricted access by cutting off mobile internet and public Wi-Fi in Moscow, and extending these restrictions to the wider Moscow region by March 15th. Authorities have been testing “whitelists” – lists of government-approved websites accessible during outages – in a chaotic and localized manner, according to IT company eQualitie Kyiv Independent.
Crackdown on Messaging Apps
The internet shutdowns follow a crackdown on Western messaging apps. In August 2025, Russia began blocking calls on Telegram and WhatsApp, while allowing text messages. Simultaneously, the government promoted Max, a domestic messaging app, making its installation mandatory on latest electronic devices. This has raised concerns about potential surveillance, as the app collects user metadata and shares it with government agencies Kyiv Independent.
By February 2026, Russian authorities began blocking Telegram completely, with approximately 80% of domain requests failing on average, reaching 90% in some regions Kyiv Independent.
Official Justification and Analyst Perspectives
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov attributed the internet outages to Ukrainian attacks and the need to ensure security, while acknowledging the potential impact on businesses Kyiv Independent. Yet, analysts reject this explanation, linking the restrictions to a broader trend of wartime totalitarianism and a desire to control information.
Sergey Parkhomenko, a Russian columnist, believes the measures are part of a general initiative to limit communication and access to independent information. Rihor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, emphasized that the actions are driven by the Putin regime’s own security concerns and fear of regime change through mass mobilization and protests Kyiv Independent.
Influence of the Iran War and Espionage Concerns
Analysts suggest the Kremlin’s actions are similarly influenced by the war in Iran and efforts by Israeli and U.S. Intelligence agencies to track down and eliminate high-ranking Iranian officials, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on February 28, 2026, and Ali Larijani on March 17, 2026 Kyiv Independent.
There is a theory that Putin fears the use of internet and surveillance infrastructure by foreign intelligence agencies, similar to how Iran’s leaders were located. Russia may have been inspired by Iran’s near-total internet blackout during anti-government protests and the ongoing war with the U.S. And Israel, particularly Iran’s successful implementation of “whitelists” allowing access only to pro-government channels Kyiv Independent.
Broader Geopolitical Context
These developments occur as U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks remain on hold due to the war in the Middle East. Russia, benefiting from surging global oil prices, is expected to launch new offensives against Ukraine Military.com. The situation is further complicated by concerns over dwindling U.S. Air defense assets, diverted to address Iranian attacks, and disagreements within the European Union regarding financial aid to Ukraine Military.com, PBS.
Russia is also profiting from increased energy prices due to disruptions in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and damage to energy facilities in Gulf countries AP News.