Russia's internet shutdowns disrupt incoming drone attack warnings

Russia's restrictions on mobile internet and cellular service are preventing residents from receiving timely warnings about Ukrainian drone and missile attacks, with alerts arriving late or not at all. Novaya Gazeta Europe estimates at least 36 civilians died this summer in strikes where air raid sirens were not activated, with such cases accounting for 68% of attack fatalities in the Moscow region.

• Mobile internet restrictions reported in 59 Russian regions
• In 7 regions residents almost never got SMS alerts; in 32 more, not for every attack
• In the Moscow region, 68% of attack deaths occurred without sirens
• Emergency Ministry and MAX apps are whitelisted, but push alerts rely on Google infrastructure