Russia blocks mobile internet for foreign SIM cards, citing drone threats therecord.media/russia-bl…

Russia is taking steps to temporarily block mobile internet for foreign SIM cards — its latest move to tighten control over communications under the guise of national security and anti-drone measures.

The new rule imposes a mandatory 24-hour mobile internet blackout for anyone entering Russia with a foreign SIM card. Mobile operators in neighboring Belarus and Kazakhstan have warned travelers that roaming services, including mobile internet and SMS, will be unavailable for the first 24 hours after connecting to a Russian network.

Digital rights groups and watchdogs say many of the shutdowns appear arbitrary and unrelated to real security threats. Analysts believe some regional authorities are disabling mobile internet simply to show the Kremlin they are taking action against drones — even though drones typically don’t rely on mobile data to operate.