Stories from moscow · Russia

Mobile internet services in Moscow are expected to be disconnected on May 5, 7, and 9, according to sources. Residents are being advised to use Wi-Fi for communication during this period. Major cellular operators in Moscow have announced large-scale communication restrictions lasting until May 9. Aeroflot has warned passengers of temporary disruptions to the aviation industry in light of these connectivity issues. The source noted that traffic inspectors can currently contact duty stations via telephone to verify insurance status if mobile connectivity fails. This restriction includes access to a whitelist of sites and SMS exchange services. Home internet and Wi-Fi services are not expected to be affected, according to the report. No restrictions are planned for May 7 or May 8.

Tsayer recorded 27 saves and completed his fifth shootout save during the current Gagarin Cup tournament. The Gagarin Cup is a major ice hockey competition. In a football match, a goaltender successfully made their fifth save during a penalty shootout.

A presidential decree has granted a secondary Russian service the authority to perform extrajudicial arrests of individuals opposing the Special Military Operation. The document was reportedly leaked accidentally. Additionally, the Tajik Ministry of Labor indicated that the Border Service, which is part of the FSB, can inspect mobile phones and perform administrative arrests on individuals who refuse to unlock them. A new presidential decree in Russia allows for arrests to be conducted without trial. Analysts suggest this may lead to internal power struggles between various service heads and the central leadership. The decree is described as a mechanism that allows officials to act with increased autonomy. The authority to conduct these arrests has been in place since January 1.

Russia's energy revenues doubled in March to reach 19 billion dollars. This is a increase from approximately 10 billion dollars recorded in February. The International Energy Agency reported these figures. The revenue influx supports the Russian treasury during ongoing global economic shifts. This surge in revenue is a key indicator of the country's financial performance in the energy sector during that period. Control over illegal screenings is reportedly increasing, and Warner Bros. has issued warnings regarding the illegality of certain displays. The revenue generated by short films in Russia has surpassed 7 billion rubles.

Bitcoin has broken the $70,000 mark for the first time since the start of 2026. The surge in price is attributed to increased institutional adoption and positive market sentiment. Analysts are closely watching for further price movements.

An object suspected to be a corroded munition from the World War II era was discovered in northeast Moscow. The Moscow Ministry of Internal Affairs press service reported the find. Authorities are currently conducting necessary measures at the site.

Russia has expanded the scope of treason charges to include sending small amounts of money to relatives in Ukraine, such as 300 rubles. Seven pre-trial detention centers have reportedly been placed under the control of the FSB. The source stated that these measures are being used to target individuals accused of treason under increasingly broad definitions. The broadcaster said the need for European decision-makers to be aware of these developments. The 2027 budget contains no new funds for Ukraine assistance.

Russian forces reported defeating a mechanized and mountain assault brigade in the vicinity of several settlements. The military operation involved the dislocation of forces, with some units expected to be withdrawn within six months to a year.

Authorities in the Moscow region have begun restricting home internet access using white-lists. Internet users in Russia are reporting restricted access to social media and various websites. The provider 'Vsem Wi-Fi' stated that since Friday, only sites on the Ministry of Digital Development's approved list have been accessible. This list includes government portals, Russian social networks, marketplaces, and banks. Technical support for 'Vsem Wi-Fi' acknowledged that the disruptions may be linked to new operational restrictions. Russian sources suggest that recent internet connectivity issues may be linked to new restrictions on service functionality. Russia is implementing a 'white list' system designed to restrict internet operation only to authorized resources.

Hundreds of users in the Moscow region are experiencing mass home internet outages, with Wi-Fi connectivity failing entirely. Specialists are working at the site where debris from destroyed aircraft fell. The aircraft were reportedly destroyed by air defense systems. Mobile internet shutdowns in Moscow caused approximately 5 billion rubles in damages to businesses over a five-day period in March. Delivery services, taxi companies, vending machine operators, and small catering or retail businesses without wired internet connections were most affected. The president of the Fitness Industry Operators Association noted that the financial loss does not include the negative impact on customer sentiment. The Federal Tax Service reportedly views the current trend with concern. Moscow experienced a 4.5-hour total outage of mobile internet and SMS messaging services.