"If you ask us how long these measures will last, they will last as long as new measures are necessary to ensure the safety of our citizens. Citizens can have no doubt that the most important thing is to guarantee security, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, in a twist of logic worthy of a dystopian novel."
"In a world reshaped by the internet, the Kremlin is rehearsing a total blackout for whenever circumstances turn against it. Peskov, in his George Orwell-esque statement, did not specify whether the security his forces must protect referred to the safety of citizens or that of the government itself."
"Russian security forces began testing the system a few months ago in other, less populated regions. Some inconveniences can be resolved the old-fashioned way, with an SMS message or by finding a Wi-Fi hotspot for urgent matters. Others, such as ordering a taxi far from the city center in a sprawling metro station when the subway closes, or paying a bill where payment terminals operate on a mobile network, pose a greater challenge."
Moscow experienced a week-long internet blackout affecting mobile connectivity across the city, with some areas completely without service while others retained limited access. Russian security forces justified the measure as necessary for citizen safety, though the distinction between protecting citizens versus the government remained unclear. The blackout severely disrupted daily life, preventing communication with family, news access, taxi ordering, banking, and administrative tasks. This represented a test of a larger system the Kremlin has been developing in less populated regions. Citizens adapted through alternative methods like SMS and WiFi hotspots, though challenges persisted for essential services dependent on mobile networks. The incident revealed Moscow's extensive surveillance infrastructure of 180,000 AI-powered cameras alongside its capacity for comprehensive digital control.
Read at english.elpais.com
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