In Russian regions experiencing limited mobile internet access, some “whitelisted” services, including banking, payment systems, and taxi hailing, are facing operational disruptions. Users have reported significant difficulties with making payments and ordering transportation. In response, the Ministry of Digital Development (Mincifry) has declared its intention to broaden the array of such essential resources available to the public.
The concept of a standardized “whitelist” for internet services, applicable across all mobile operators, is gaining traction. Anton Gorelkin, First Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, confirmed this position, stating that Mincifry supports the expansion of this list for services that must remain functional during mobile internet outages. However, practical implementation reveals that these supposedly guaranteed resources frequently fail to operate reliably in areas with the most challenging connectivity.
Currently, the “whitelist” encompasses approximately two dozen services deemed critical for uninterrupted operation under any restrictions. This includes banks, social networks, online marketplaces, digital maps, mobile operator websites, and the “Gosuslugi” (Public Services) portal. Despite this, real-world experience indicates that essential services often become inaccessible during periods of restriction. Vera Saprykina, an employee of Business FM, shared her firsthand account:
“We learned about the absence of mobile internet in the Vladimir region only upon our arrival at the train station. Local residents explained that these outages had commenced back in August. Remarkably, even without internet, I had managed to order a taxi. We inquired with the driver how this was possible, and he informed us that taxi services had become operational. This reminded us of recent news regarding lists of services expected to work during mobile internet shutdowns, which included taxis, maps, and banks. Indeed, our online maps functioned perfectly. However, banking applications – neither Sber nor Tinkoff – were accessible for me, preventing any money transfers. During an excursion, the guide requested cash payment. Many, having forgotten this detail, resorted to searching for the nearest cafe with Wi-Fi to transfer the tour fees. A notable positive, in contrast to some other regions (like Tula, for example), was that mobile payment terminals were at least working.”
Vera Saprykina
Business FM Employee
Russian regions have been grappling with mobile internet and geolocation restrictions for several months. These measures, reportedly enacted to counteract Ukrainian drones, impact numerous everyday activities, ranging from the inability to summon a taxi to difficulties with withdrawing cash from ATMs and making card payments in stores. The most severe and widespread restrictions have been observed in Vladimir, Yoshkar-Ola, Tula, Kazan, and Nizhny Novgorod.
Ekaterina, a resident of Tula, noted that people have had to revert to more traditional communication and transaction methods:
“The situation appeared critical when the restrictions first began, especially because the decision was made abruptly and unexpectedly. Many people immediately faced basic household problems: unable to call a taxi, or collect goods from online marketplaces. Many shops could only operate on a cash-only basis, which naturally led to lost profits for businesses. But then everyone started to adapt: marketplace applications began to automatically load QR codes even without internet, and shops started installing wired internet. In Tula, for example, the city administration provides Wi-Fi at bus stops. I’m currently checking, and unfortunately, not all apps on the designated `whitelist` are working yet. Yandex services are functioning reasonably well, but banking apps are still not loading. The VK app, however, is accessible.”
Ekaterina
Tula Resident
Problems with GPS, however, are formally distinct from mobile internet restrictions and the “whitelist” of services. While some online map services are included in the list of mandatory accessible resources, they are rendered useless without properly functioning geolocation.
Denis Kuskov, CEO of the analytical agency TelecomDaily, asserts that a comprehensive solution for GPS problems, akin to the efforts for mobile internet, is not attainable:
“GPS signal issues and internet blocking are similar in context but fundamentally different. GPS is typically disabled near strategic sites, which could be the Kremlin, an oil refinery in Yaroslavl, or the port in Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region. In terms of internet blocking, the situation is somewhat different. GPS might not work, for example, in the city center, while internet connectivity is still present. Resolving GPS problems is extremely difficult, leading to significant challenges for numerous services like couriers and taxis. I advise downloading an offline map of your current region and using it for route planning or other services in an offline format.”
Denis Kuskov
CEO, TelecomDaily analytical agency
In certain services, such as taxi applications, GPS functionality is already integrated. It remains possible to use these services, but users will need to manually input their starting point address. Alternatively, offline maps can be downloaded, though tracking one`s movement will rely solely on addresses and visible landmarks.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth