The Russian government is reportedly working to establish clear regulations for the disconnection and subsequent reconnection of mobile communications and the internet, especially in response to drone attacks. Currently, various agencies that request network shutdowns often neglect to issue instructions for their restoration. This lack of mobile internet and communication significantly impacts several industries.
Photo: Mikhail Tereshchenko/TASS
The Ministry of Digital Development may be considering the issue of potential abuses in network disconnections. Media reports indicate that the government is discussing a framework for coordinating communication blocks during drone attacks and the creation of a dedicated agency for this purpose. In the meantime, Russian businesses are calculating their losses from internet outages, which range from minor inconveniences to substantial financial setbacks.
According to “Izvestia” newspaper, a specialized body for coordinating mobile internet shutdowns might be established in Russia – let`s call it, for instance, “Minbezsvyazi” (Ministry of No-Comm). Sources suggest that too many entities, including security forces, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the military, and local authorities, currently have the authority to make such decisions. Among those affected are pharmacy chains; without wired internet, their outlets rely on an offline module of the “Chestny Znak” (Honest Mark) system, which only functions for 72 hours without connectivity. Can these blockages be considered abusive? Alexander Kuzin, CEO of the “36.6” pharmacy chain, shares his view:
CEO, “36.6” pharmacy chain
“No, I don`t feel it`s a global problem. The situation with `Chestny Znak` is resolved through an offline block, which causes inconvenience but isn`t an insurmountable obstacle. However, there`s a serious problem with acquiring services, for which there`s no simple solution. We`ve taken steps by deciding to install wired internet in all our pharmacies. This requires effort and investment in infrastructure, but we don`t expect mobile internet shutdowns to cease. We operate not only in major cities but also in Veliky Novgorod and the surrounding regions, Tver, Pskov, Murmansk Oblasts, and Karelia, and we are addressing this issue for smaller settlements as well.”
According to “Izvestia,” implementing a clear regulatory framework for connection disconnections would help eliminate unjustified requests for internet restrictions from local authorities and other unauthorized entities. Alexander Myshinsky, co-owner of “Real” trading house, describes the situation for retail in St. Petersburg and its surroundings:
Co-owner, “Real” trading house
“Most large chain retailers operate on wired internet, so mobile internet outages usually don`t affect cash register operations or QR code scanning. Wi-Fi is available inside stores, and if customers face issues, it can be shared, but there hasn`t been such a request yet. From a purely human perspective, outages happen very frequently, sometimes without clear reason. Often, not just mobile internet but even basic cellular communication disappears. And it might work for one provider in a location but not for another, which is very difficult to explain. I know this severely impacts small businesses because most of them rely on mobile internet. For example, during the economic forum, many people wanting coffee simply couldn`t get a cup because mobile internet wasn`t working in coffee shops, mobile devices, or vending machines. I assume these businesses incurred significant losses.”
The article quotes an unnamed federal official who highlighted the chaotic nature of internet blocks: “Many different bodies issue orders to disconnect it and then forget to say when to reconnect.” Egor Ryabkov, a taxi driver in Krasnodar and author of the Protaxi Telegram channel, shares his experience:
Taxi driver in Krasnodar, author of Protaxi Telegram channel
“Initially, GPS was being shut down. Taxi drivers adapted by downloading offline maps to their navigators, allowing them to continue driving without issues. Then mobile internet started being cut off, and that`s when we had to adjust. We would gather in places with stable wired Wi-Fi, like cafes, train stations, or shopping centers. You`d accept an order there and then set off. But when wired internet also started being disconnected, unfortunately, the taxi business suffers. If before, after deducting fuel and aggregator commissions, one could earn approximately 7-8 thousand rubles, now it`s only 2 thousand. During internet outages, three-quarters of orders disappear. Consequently, even the increased cost of the few orders that do come through isn`t enough to compensate.”
“Izvestia” also points out less obvious consequences of the blockages: industrial equipment increasingly relies on LTE connectivity, and disconnections lead to downtime. Is there a technological solution that can ensure both security and normal business operations? Alexey Boyko, an analyst at the RUSmicro Telegram channel, proposes some options, though not flawless ones:
Analyst, RUSmicro Telegram channel
“For example, you could create a list of `trusted` IP addresses. A specific cash register, for instance, has a certain IP address that can be added to this trusted list. Theoretically, a drone cannot have the same address. Other methods could also be used. For instance, monitoring how quickly SIM cards switch between cell towers could identify a flying object by its pattern, allowing the internet to be disconnected not for all users, but only for that specific one. However, this would mean that everyone in moving vehicles would also temporarily lose internet access, which would then restore after some time.”
The authorities in the Samara region have devised an interim solution. According to the regional Ministry of Digital Development, over 500 public Wi-Fi hotspots have been deployed in Samara, Togliatti, and Syzran, which can be used during mobile internet outages. Residents of other settlements in the region will, for now, have to bear with the inconvenience.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth