Moscow to Restrict Mobile Internet During Two Major Summits

Russia's Ministry of Digital Development said mobile internet access in central Moscow could be disrupted from October 27 to 29. The dates coincide with the Gas Exporting Countries Forum summit and the Russia-Africa summit. Voice calls, Wi-Fi networks and websites on a government-approved list will remain available. That list, known as the internet "whitelist", includes government websites, Russian social media platforms, banks and online marketplaces. It was introduced in 2025 amid widespread mobile internet shutdowns.

Several senior foreign officials are expected in Moscow, including the presidents of Iran and Equatorial Guinea, the emir of Qatar, the chairman of Libya's Presidential Council and Venezuela's vice president. Representatives from around 50 African countries are also due to attend. Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said President Vladimir Putin planned about 20 bilateral meetings with visiting leaders.

Mobile internet shutdowns have become increasingly common across Russia since spring 2025, with authorities citing the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks. Similar restrictions applied in Moscow in May 2025 and for nearly a week in March 2026. Russian internet freedom advocates question their effectiveness, arguing that drones do not necessarily rely on mobile internet connections. Rights groups say the shutdowns are part of a broader tightening of internet controls since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.