Moscow will completely restrict mobile internet access and SMS messaging on May 9 as part of security measures for the celebrations.
Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development announced this, according to Meduza.
Authorities in the Russian capital plan to temporarily shut down key mobile network services.
Even access to the so-called “white list” of government and socially important websites will be completely blocked.
The ministry claims that the measures are temporary. At the same time, officials noted that they do not currently plan to suspend communications on May 7 and 8, ahead of the Moscow parade.
Russia is concerned about possible Ukrainian missile and drone attacks on Moscow during the May 9 celebrations.
Because of this, the Kremlin announced a unilateral “ceasefire” for May 8–9 while threatening strikes on Kyiv.
In response, Ukraine declared a ceasefire beginning at midnight on May 6, but Russian forces reportedly violated it immediately.
As preparations for the military parade continue, long-range S-400 air defense systems have reportedly been deployed around Moscow.
Despite significantly strengthening its air defenses, Russia is reportedly planning to hold the May 9 parade in Moscow in a reduced format for the first time since the start of the full-scale war against Ukraine, without military vehicles.
In addition to Moscow, several Russian regions are also canceling or significantly scaling back military parades because of the threat of Ukrainian drone strikes.
On the morning of May 7, drones targeted a Russian military logistics facility in Naro-Fominsk, in the Moscow region.
