Russia tightens control of the internetCEFR A2
18 Apr 2026
Adapted from Daria Dergacheva, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Christian Wiediger, Unsplash
At the beginning of April 2026 the Russian government stepped up efforts to control the internet. Authorities expanded mobile internet shutdowns, introduced measures against VPNs, tested "white lists" for mobile and home connections, and blocked the messenger Telegram.
The move followed a major mobile internet blackout in Moscow from March 6–24. Independent reports said the blackout damaged many digitally based services, including the metro, grocery stores and public toilets. After Telegram was blocked, the regulator moved to limit VPN traffic and many online services stopped working. Companies were told to detect users who try to bypass controls and to report tools for circumvention.
Difficult words
- shutdown — temporary stopping of a service or systemshutdowns
- blackout — period when electricity or services stop working
- regulator — government group that controls and supervises services
- detect — find or notice something that is hidden
- circumvention — actions to avoid a rule or control
- white list — list of allowed websites or serviceswhite lists
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How would an internet blackout like this affect your daily life?
- Why do you think a government might block a messenger app?
- Have you ever used a VPN or other tool to access blocked websites? Why or why not?
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