Inside Russia During an Internet Crackdown

New York Times
by Valerie Hopkins, Rebecca Suner and Joey Sendaydiego
March 31, 2026
2 min read

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An international correspondent documents how people connect to the internet during Russia's widespread Kremlin-ordered internet crackdown.

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International correspondent Valerie Hopkins documents how Russians are adapting their internet access amid a Kremlin crackdown that has triggered major blackouts in Moscow. The Russian government has intensified censorship and network restrictions, forcing citizens and journalists to employ workarounds to maintain connectivity. Hopkins's firsthand account illustrates the practical challenges of reporting from Russia as the Kremlin tightens control over information flow. The blackouts underscore the broader effort by Moscow to limit access to independent news and outside information. Her reporting provides insight into how journalists and ordinary Russians are navigating an increasingly restricted digital landscape.

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