In response to the growing frequency of nationwide mobile internet outages, Russian regional authorities are launching new public Wi-Fi networks.

Many major cities and regions have made interactive maps available, indicating the locations of the newly established Wi-Fi access points.

For instance, the website of the Digital Development Ministry for the Samara region now features an interactive map showcasing several hundred Wi-Fi hotspots.

Mikhail Smirnov, the head of the regional government, stated, “The region might experience temporary limitations on mobile internet to ensure the safety of citizens and safeguard the infrastructure.”

Recent weeks have seen a rise in mobile network disruptions, which are often associated with drone strikes attributed to Ukraine.

July was notably marked by a surge in internet outages, with the independent communications regulator Na Svyazi reporting disruptions in 77 regions, including areas far from the conflict zone, such as Primorye, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka.

Fixed-line internet services have also been compromised. In June alone, there were 655 documented incidents of internet blocking across Russia, representing a tenfold increase compared to the previous month.

Michael Horowitz, an analyst from the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations, informed Bloomberg that disabling mobile networks has been an effective strategy in hampering Ukrainian drone activities, which have often reached deep into Russian territory.