Two international messengers blocked in Crimea

In the occupied Crimea, the Russian authorities have partially blocked Telegram and WhatsApp, tightening control over the information space. The occupiers impose the use of the Russian messenger on the residents to fully monitor their communications.

This was reported by the press service of the Mission of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.

The occupation authorities announced a "partial restriction of the work" of the popular messengers Telegram and WhatsApp, which remained one of the few ways of communication for the residents of the peninsula.

The blocking was initiated by Roskomnadzor and applies to all communication providers, including those in the occupied territories. Instead, the occupation "Ministry of Information of the Republic of Crimea" calls for the use of the Russian messenger "MAX", which allegedly provides "stable communication". The occupier-controlled media are actively promoting this application and are already creating their own channels in it.

According to the Ukrainian Mission, such actions are part of a planned campaign to strengthen digital surveillance. The Kremlin is trying to transfer information traffic from independent platforms to a controlled environment where it can monitor users and censor any statements.

The occupation authorities hide their actions behind the concern for "convenience" and "security," but in fact deprive people of the opportunity to receive reliable news and communicate without fear of persecution. This is another step in the implementation of the policy of suppressing freedom of speech and total control over public consciousness.

Despite the threat of reprisals, Crimean residents disagree with the forced switch to the "MAH" channel. In Telegram channels that still work through VPNs, users are ironizing the innovations, discussing ways to bypass blocking and openly criticizing the occupation authorities.

As the President's Office emphasized, the return of free access to information and genuine freedom of speech on the peninsula will be possible only after its de-occupation.

Also in Crimea, the occupation authorities, together with the Russian military, began massive checks of students' and teachers' cell phones, looking for banned applications and the use of the Ukrainian language. Activists recorded such checks in Simferopol and Sevastopol.

Анна Бальчінос