Vladimir Putin has unleashed sweeping internet shutdowns across Moscow as reports surface that the Russian leader fears an internal coup plot from within his own security establishment, revealing the growing paranoia and instability plaguing the Kremlin.

Kremlin Expands Digital Control Through New FSB Powers

Putin signed legislation in February 2026 granting Russia’s Federal Security Service sweeping authority to disable internet access nationwide without public justification. The law allows Putin to impose restrictions through simple presidential decrees, bypassing even government approval processes. Lawyer Sarkis Darbinyan warned this grants Putin personal control over communications with zero transparency. Deputy digital development minister Ivan Lebedev admitted the law intentionally creates confusion about which services could face disconnection. This represents the culmination of Russia’s transformation into a digital authoritarian state, mirroring Iranian-style internet control where only government-approved websites remain accessible during shutdowns.

Moscow Communications Blackout Sparks Coup Plot Speculation

Internet and mobile communications went dark across central Moscow beginning March 5, 2026, particularly near sensitive military and security installations. The disruptions have paralyzed normal business operations, with restaurants unable to process reservations and retailers reporting chaos. VChK-OGPU, a Telegram channel with security service contacts, claims the shutdowns respond to Kremlin fears of a coup attempt by Sergei Shoigu’s faction within the security establishment. Shoigu, removed as defense minister in May 2024 but reassigned as security council secretary, has not appeared publicly since March 5. The timing mirrors the June 2023 Prigozhin rebellion, when similar communications restrictions locked down Moscow during that internal security crisis.

Systematic Purge of Shoigu Associates Reveals Internal Power Struggle

The Kremlin has arrested multiple individuals close to Shoigu, including former deputy defense minister Ruslan Tsalikov, who allegedly accumulated nearly $64 million through corrupt practices. Kremlin analyst Andrey Pertsev noted the thoroughness of the purge illustrates sharply elevated internal conflicts within Russia’s power structure. Shoigu maintains substantial support within the defense ministry, intelligence services, and security establishment, creating a potential counterbalance to Putin’s authority. The systematic removal of Shoigu’s allies suggests Putin views this internal threat seriously enough to risk destabilizing the very security apparatus he depends upon. This power struggle emerges as Russian forces face military setbacks in Ukraine and economists warn of potential economic stagnation after four years of war.

Economic and Strategic Costs of Digital Authoritarianism

Russia experienced over 37,000 hours of mobile internet shutdowns in 2025 affecting 146 million individuals, resulting in approximately $9.5 billion in lost economic output. The March 2026 Moscow disruptions have compounded these losses, crippling business operations across Russia’s capital. Human rights attorney Alexander Karavaev warned the law’s ambiguous language could extend FSB control even to postal services. The Kremlin justifies some disruptions as necessary to prevent Ukrainian drone attacks using Russian data signals for navigation, but experts argue these outages represent deeper efforts to impose state control over citizens’ online access. This digital crackdown signals Russia’s shift toward a sovereign internet insulated from Western influence, though the economic costs and operational disruptions may undermine Putin’s ability to sustain his war effort.

Sources:

Putin paranoia grows as internet shutdown hits Moscow – The Express

Vladimir Putin’s spies to shut off internet in Russia – The Telegraph

Russia Internet Law Restriction Tech Censorship – Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Freedom on the Net 2025: The Uncertain Future of Global Internet – Freedom House