Moscow: Russia’s tightening control over internet services is beginning to create serious problems for thousands of small businesses, with entrepreneurs saying repeated online disruptions are affecting sales, communication and customer trust.
Across major cities including Moscow and St Petersburg, business owners are reporting growing difficulties as authorities continue limiting access to messaging platforms and mobile internet services. The restrictions, introduced in the name of national security, have become more frequent in recent months as Russia faces increasing drone attacks linked to the war in Ukraine.
Many small companies now depend heavily on digital platforms for daily work. Restaurants take online orders through messaging apps, delivery companies coordinate drivers through mobile networks and independent sellers use social media to reach customers. But with internet services becoming unreliable, many entrepreneurs say normal business operations are no longer guaranteed.
One of the business owners affected is Moscow entrepreneur Natalia Kukovinets, who runs a dog clothing brand called Wag’n Tails. Like many Russian entrepreneurs, she shifted much of her business activity to Telegram after Instagram and several other foreign platforms were restricted by Russian authorities in recent years.
However, she says Telegram itself has recently become unstable. Messages are delayed, notifications fail to arrive and customers sometimes cannot complete orders. In some cases, people are forced to use virtual private networks, commonly known as VPNs, simply to access services that previously worked normally.
Small business groups say the disruptions are creating financial losses and damaging customer relationships. During busy holiday periods, some restaurants reported missing online orders because messaging apps suddenly stopped working. Real estate companies also said property clients were unable to receive important documents or communicate with agents during outages.
The problems became more visible this week ahead of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations. Authorities restricted mobile internet services in several areas of Moscow due to fears of possible Ukrainian drone attacks targeting public gatherings and infrastructure.
Residents in many districts reported that banking apps, taxi services, navigation systems and food delivery platforms became difficult or impossible to use for several hours. Long lines were seen outside some cash machines as people struggled to complete online payments.
The Kremlin has defended the restrictions as necessary temporary measures aimed at protecting public safety. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently acknowledged that the internet outages were causing inconvenience but insisted that security concerns must come first.
Russian officials are also promoting domestic alternatives to foreign digital services. A state backed messaging platform known as MAX has been introduced as a possible replacement for Telegram and other international apps. However, adoption has remained limited because many users do not trust government linked platforms and worry about surveillance.
Business owners interviewed by international media said customers continue to prefer Telegram because it remains one of the most widely used communication tools in the country despite the recent disruptions.
Analysts say the situation reflects Russia’s broader effort to tighten control over the digital space since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. Over the past four years, authorities have blocked or restricted several Western social media platforms, increased pressure on VPN providers and expanded state monitoring of online activity.
Some technology experts believe Russia is slowly moving toward a more isolated internet system that gives the government greater control over information flows inside the country. Critics warn that such measures could weaken innovation and hurt small businesses that rely on open digital markets.
According to industry estimates, millions of Russian entrepreneurs and self employed workers now depend on online platforms for sales and communication. Digital commerce in Russia reached enormous levels last year, showing how important internet access has become for the economy.
Despite official assurances that restrictions are temporary, frustration among ordinary Russians appears to be growing. Many business owners say unpredictable internet shutdowns are making it harder to plan operations, serve customers and compete in an already difficult economic environment.
For small entrepreneurs across Russia, the internet has become more than a convenience. It is now the foundation of their business survival.