Key Facts
• June 1, 2025: Ukraine’s ‘Spider Web’ operation targeted Russian airbases with drones.
• Over 50 Russian regions, more than half the country, reported communication disruptions.
• Disruptions caused by Russian authorities jamming mobile networks to counter drones.
• Citizens face issues with smartphone payments, internet searches, and app usage.
• Nizhny Novgorod’s Dzerzhinsk area has had no mobile internet since late June 2025.
• Complaints to Nizhny Novgorod’s governor’s social media exceeded 1,000.
• Moscow experiences daily disruptions, affecting cashless payments and public transport.
• Western Siberia’s Omsk taxi drivers report income halved due to navigation issues.
• Regular phone calls remain unaffected despite widespread mobile network issues.
Summary
Russia is experiencing chronic smartphone communication disruptions as authorities jam mobile networks to counter Ukraine’s drone attacks. The issue intensified after Ukraine’s ‘Spider Web’ operation on June 1, 2025, targeting Russian airbases. Over 50 regions, including Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, report widespread issues, affecting smartphone payments, internet searches, and app-based services. In Dzerzhinsk, mobile internet has been unavailable since late June, with over 1,000 complaints filed. Moscow faces daily disruptions, impacting cashless payments and public transport. In Omsk, taxi drivers struggle with navigation, leading to income losses. While regular phone calls remain unaffected, citizens express frustration, calling for an end to the war.
