On May 6, a mass shutdown of mobile internet occurred in several Russian cities, including Kursk, Tula, Yaroslavl, and Saransk. The restrictions affected all telecom operators simultaneously. Authorities explained this as "preventive measures related to countering unmanned aerial vehicles."
The mobile internet shutdown caused serious inconvenience for residents. Taxi drivers in Tula, where communication disappeared as early as noon, were forced to connect to Wi-Fi in cafes and beauty salons to receive orders. However, without working navigators, customers often "get lost" as soon as they go outside. Payment systems were also affected: mobile payment terminals stopped accepting bank cards, forcing customers to switch to cash payments.
The disruptions began around 11 a.m., and by evening, communication was completely lost. The mobile internet shutdown also caused malfunctions in ATMs, transport validators, online displays, and delivery services. The Yaroslavl administration confirmed that the restrictions were introduced to protect critical infrastructure from possible drone attacks.
The mobile internet shutdown in several Russian cities showed how much modern services depend on stable communication. The technical side of such restrictions, as well as their impact on people's daily lives, raise questions.
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