Russians are using their mobile phones to chop vegetables and play table tennis – signaling a descent into the dark ages.
Internet has been shut down in Moscow and St. Petersburg, leaving residents unable to communicate and forced to resort to old-fashioned methods such as pagers, walkie-talkies and even paper maps.
Footage shared on social media showed Muscovites using large-scale maps to map out their commute in true Eastern European humor.
Comedian Andrei Kaygorodov shared a skit on Instagram titled “How to use your mobile phone in the center of Moscow.”
After this he is seen using it as a table tennis Racket, instead of a knife for cutting cucumbers and as a trouser strap.
In another post on Tuesday, titled “Residents realize internet is working in Moscow,” he is seen holding out a champagne bottle.
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“And they say Russians never smile,” he joked in the caption.
The disruptions are clearly affecting daily life as pro-government outlet Moscow-24 reported an increase in demand for alternative communications devices.
Sales of printed atlases and travel guides also increased.
Between March 6 and March 10, purchases reportedly increased by 48 percent compared to the previous week.
For months, people across Russia have complained of mobile internet outages.
Data from the independent Na Svyazi project recorded more than 11,900 outages. nationwide In the last seven months.
By the end of 2025, Russia Had become the global leader in shutdown.
The total internet outage time reached 37,166 hours, affecting approximately 146 million people.
In the inner center of Moscow, the country’s political and economic center, the disruptions were first reported about two weeks ago.
Telecom industry sources confirmed this Business Daily Kommersant said operators were asked by authorities to limit mobile Internet, Wire Informed.
Last week, the Kremlin confirmed that recent disruptions in Moscow and other major cities were aimed at ensuring security.
In a call with journalists, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “All disconnections and communication restrictions are carried out in strict compliance with the current legislation.”
He added, “It’s all related to the need to ensure security.”
It comes just weeks after the Kremlin blocked messenger apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, promoting the state-backed service MAX, which critics argue is not secure.
Human rights groups have warned that the platform could enable mass surveillance.
He also reported that the ongoing blackout could be linked to the government testing a new so-called “whitelist” system, under which only a limited number of “approved” websites and essential online services would remain accessible to Russians.
Others have speculated that the shutdown may be linked to fears of a coup aimed at removing Vladimir Putin from power.
The focus has been on circulating rumors of a power-challenge Putin’s Sergei Shoigu, the most senior Security Council official.
