SPIEF, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, will interrupt cellular internet services on 16 June, the Roscongress press service reported.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to speak at Russia’s flagship forum today. Journalist Farida Rustamova claims, citing sources, that the president’s arrival is behind the internet connection issues.
“Cellular internet connection will be cut off to avert drone attacks on Putin’s traditional event during its plenary session,” she wrote earlier.
One of the cellular data provider staffer and forum participant learnt this information from the organisers and relayed it to the journalist. Rustamova writes that according to an order from the Digital Development Ministry received by telecoms operators, the internet was required to be disconnected at the ExpoForum convention and exhibition centre.
Roscongress blamed the issue on “technical works”. The forum participants are advised to use WiFi available at the facility.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that SPIEF can experience possible internet connection problems.
“The enemy acts brazenly and relentlessly attempts to cause damage. Therefore, it is crucial to stay focused and mobilised in this sense and take all precautions,” he said.
Rustamova notes that it is not the first time that cellular connection is interrupted for the sake of Putin’s security.
“Last week, internet access was restricted in Sochi and Adler for three whole days, from 7 to 9 June. The reason was the Eurasian Congress which Putin was attending,” the journalist writes.
One of the congress participants said that the LTE outage prevented taxi apps, bank cards, and cellular phone calls from working.
There were also GPS service malfunctions in Moscow before Victory Day. Baza wrote that navigation was jammed in downtown Moscow. According to the Telegram channel, law enforcers were warned that GPS location changes would be activated during preparations for the Victory Day parade.
