Russia slowly trying to splinter its internet from rest of world, analysts say (theguardian.com)

The Guardian reports that Russia is gradually separating its internet from the rest of the world through piecemeal, hard-to-detect measures, including escalating mobile internet blackouts, broader traffic restrictions, and increasing blocks on Telegram. Analysts and researchers say the approach is more opaque than Iran’s earlier shutdowns because Russia has more independent internet service providers, but evidence from watchdog probes suggests Telegram interference is spreading across many networks and regions. Authorities have also previously shut down parts of mobile service in major cities and have indicated Telegram (and possibly WhatsApp) could be fully blocked, potentially replaced by a state-controlled domestic messaging service.