March 15, 2026

Moscow Doesn't Believe in Internet


Moscow Doesn't Believe in Internet
Wait for it... Uladzimir Zuyeu

 

Over the last two weeks, Moscow has been suffering from widespread and intermittent internet outages. Citizens have been coping by returning to technology from the 1990s.

According to The Moscow Times, Russian internet retailer Wildberries has seen a 73% increase in orders of old-school pagers this month. In addition, orders of walkie-talkies and landline phones are up 27% and 25%, respectively. For many Muscovites, such backwards tech has been the only way to keep their business running in a bustling modern city.

In addition, Russian state news outlet Izvestia reported a 50% increase in bookstore sales citywide. A goodly portion of these sales are driven by products whose functions that were until recently done by mobile phones connected to cellular data: not only physical books, but atlases and city guides. Paper map sales alone have tripled.

The outages themselves are something of a mystery. Per the Kremlin, they are the result of testing of a "whitelist" that would severely limit access for Russian internet users, and so the outages will remain in place until the tests are complete. However, authorities had previously claimed the outages were an effort to thwart Ukrainian drone attacks.

You Might Also Like

Cargo Business Breaks Down
  • January 20, 2026

Cargo Business Breaks Down

Thousands of Russian freight transport companies are facing liquidation or bankruptcy amid rising costs, falling demand, and tightening financial conditions. 
Dial-a-Putin
  • December 07, 2025

Dial-a-Putin

Russian citizens are invited to submit questions for 2025's "Direct Line with Vladimir Putin" television program.
A Russian AIDOL Falls
  • November 17, 2025

A Russian AIDOL Falls

Russia’s first artificial intelligence robot faceplanted after its first steps on a Moscow stage.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

Fearful Majesty
July 01, 2014

Fearful Majesty

This acclaimed biography of one of Russia’s most important and tyrannical rulers is not only a rich, readable biography, it is also surprisingly timely, revealing how many of the issues Russia faces today have their roots in Ivan’s reign.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955