As of October 6, Russia has begun temporarily restricting mobile internet and SMS services for foreign SIM cards and eSIMs shortly after they connect to local networks. Fergana News reports that within 24 hours of activating roaming in the country, these services are blocked, according to reports from telecom operators in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and other countries.
Users entering Russia with foreign SIM cards will be unable to access mobile data or send text messages during the first 24 hours after connecting to a Russian mobile network. These services are automatically restored after the 24-hour period. However, voice calls remain unaffected — users can make and receive calls as usual.
Belarus’s Ministry of Communications and Informatization, which released an official statement explaining the measure, noted that if no user activity is detected within three days after connecting to the network, restrictions on internet and SMS are reimposed for another 24-hour period. The ministry emphasized that the move is aimed at “ensuring the national security of the Russian Federation and its citizens.”
Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development has not yet issued an official statement regarding the implementation of this policy.
The idea for such a measure was first proposed in August 2025 by Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadayev, who referred to it as a “cooling-off period.” At that time, he suggested a five-hour block on mobile internet and SMS services after foreign SIM cards register on Russian networks, citing security concerns — particularly the use of SIM cards in unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
Alongside the temporary blocks, Russian officials also discussed introducing a CAPTCHA verification system that would allow foreign users to access essential services like ride-hailing apps during the restriction period.
In recent years, the Russian government has significantly tightened control over telecommunications and digital services within its borders. The country continues to implement stricter internet regulations, including messenger app restrictions, VPN blocks, and efforts to establish a “sovereign internet.”
Foreign nationals, especially migrant workers, have also seen increased digital oversight. A notable development is the mandatory installation of the Amina mobile app, designed to track users’ locations, monitor document status, and deliver notifications from migration services.
