Moscow ordered a sweeping ban on foreign satellite terminals, raising alarm over emergency communications and internet access across the country.

As reported by The Moscow Times.

The Russian government has imposed a ban on importing into the Russian Federation devices for receiving and transmitting signals from foreign communications satellites, including Starlink terminals.

In the document circulated by the government’s press service, it refers to a ban affecting radio-electronic devices designed for transmission and (or) reception of radio waves from space objects of communications (communication satellites, including dual-use) of foreign states, according to the list in the annex, that do not have a decision from the State Commission for Radio Frequencies on the allocation of radio frequency bands.

«The importation into the Russian Federation of radio-electronic devices intended for transmission and (or) reception of radio waves from space objects of communications (communication satellites, including dual-use) of foreign states, according to the annex list, that do not have a decision from the State Commission for Radio Frequencies on allocation of radio frequency bands» – the government press service

It is noted that the ban on importing Starlink was introduced amid tightened internet controls in Russia.

Since May 2025, Russian authorities began disconnecting mobile Internet under the pretext of fighting Ukrainian drones – the “shutdowns” affected more than 60 regions.

According to Top10VPN, in 2025 such disconnections affected nearly all residents of the country, and their total duration amounted to 37,166 hours.

Timeline of events and consequences

On April 26 it became known that access to the global network was being restricted by mobile operators.

In Moscow, authorities planned to restrict all mobile communications ahead of the May 9 parade.

As of now, restrictions and control over communication channels continue to tighten, affecting citizens’ access to the Internet and global services.

The situation regarding restrictions in the digital space continues to evolve, and access to online services remains in focus.