Security services conducting pre-election stress testing on online platforms caused unexpected internet interruptions in Russia, including Telegram. Other platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook, became accessible after the interruption.
The monitoring agency for Russia’s public communications network said that stress testing to resolve vulnerabilities disrupted Telegram. Russia is restoring disrupted services as the digital ministry investigates the event.
Andrei Svintsov, deputy head of the State Duma information policy committee, blamed pre-election preparations for the disruptions. He described how specialised services were assessing Russia’s internet and cybersecurity infrastructure before the presidential election, suggesting restrictions on illegal websites and resources.
Telegram, YouTube, and Vkontakte experienced problems during the 90-minute outage, halting Russia’s internet communication. After being blocked throughout the country, Instagram and Facebook are now available, signalling a change in restrictions.
Anton Gorelkin, another parliamentary committee member, recommended against deciding the cause of the outages without considering human mistakes or cyber-attacks. He acknowledged the potentially negative impact on the Russian economy and stressed the need for a rapid resolution. As the inquiry continues, fears about Russia’s internet infrastructure, especially during elections, grow. Due to the disruptions, the country struggles to reconcile internet freedom and security.
