Russian President Vladimir Putin Shuts Down Internet Across Russia Amid Anti-Putin Coup Rumours

An internet blackout has spread across parts of Russia, with reports of service paralysis in Moscow and outages in St Petersburg, prompting widespread speculation about serious internal unrest.

“Rumours circulating in Moscow claim that a deeply suspicious Vladimir Putin is worried about a possible coup attempt organised by the faction of Sergei Shoigu, his most senior security council figure”

Daily Express US

The Sun described "AN INTERNET black out sweeping across Russia" and noted "Mobile internet outages were also reported in St Petersburg";

Daily Express US

The Mirror said "chaos erupts across Moscow" as the regime allegedly paralyzed internet access;

LondonLovesBusiness reported "restrictions on internet access in central Moscow" concentrated around military and law enforcement sites, with residents describing the atmosphere as "chaos."

Russian authorities framed the outage as a security measure while critics pointed to new laws and targeted shutdowns around key facilities.

The Sun wrote that "Paranoid Vladimir Putin pushed through laws to allow the paralysis of mobile internet, broadband, landlines and “any other means of communication” in Russia," and quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying the outage was to ensure "security" while refusing to explain the specific threat;

LondonLovesBusiness

The Mirror similarly described the regime as "paralysing the internet in the centre of Moscow, notably around key security and military facilities,"

LondonLovesBusiness noted restrictions were "particularly concentrated around key military and law enforcement sites, raising concerns about potential unrest or internal conflict among powerful factions."

Unconfirmed coup claims have been amplified by an online channel claiming insider ties to security services.

“Vladimir Putin is reportedly facing a coup as "chaos" erupts across Moscow”

The Mirror

Both The Sun and The Mirror reported that "The unconfirmed theory of the coup was aired by channel VChK-OGPU which has links to the secret services" and "Channel VChK-OGPU, which has links to the secret services, aired the unconfirmed theory" respectively,

LondonLovesBusiness described the channel as "A Telegram-linked channel, VChK-OGPU, which claims insider access to Russian security services," reporting its allegations and fueling speculation.

Reporting links the rumours to Sergei Shoigu and a wave of detentions of his associates, adding to speculation about factional infighting.

The Sun noted that "Shoigu, 70, was fired in May 2024 as defence minister in charge of the war in Ukraine and installed as secretary of the Kremlin’s security council," and that "Shoigu has not been seen or quoted since 5 March, when the online communications block started."

The Sun

The Mirror also said "Shoigu, 70, had been defence minister in charge of the war in Ukraine before he was fired in May 2024 and installed instead as secretary of the Kremlin’s security council,"

LondonLovesBusiness reported he "has reportedly not made any public appearances since March 5," and highlighted detentions including "former Deputy Defence Minister Ruslan Tsalikov [who] was arrested on allegations of illicit wealth."

Observers compared the shutdown to past information blackouts and rebellions, underscoring the tense, unsettled atmosphere in the capital.

“Rumours circulating in Moscow claim that a deeply suspicious Vladimir Putin is worried about a possible coup attempt organised by the faction of Sergei Shoigu, his most senior security council figure”

Daily Express US

LondonLovesBusiness said the deterioration in communications "echoes similar shutdowns during the Wagner Group rebellion" and residents described the situation as "chaos,"

Daily Express US

The Sun framed the blackout as "a chilling echo of Iran’s crackdown,"

The Mirror likewise reported that "chaos erupts across Moscow" as the alleged paralysis took place around key security sites.