Russia starts blocking SIM cards used abroad

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Since November 10, Russian mobile operators have been temporarily blocking SIM cards that were used abroad or remained inactive for more than 72 hours. After returning to the country, users find that internet and SMS services are unavailable until they confirm their identity.

How the new system works

The system is currently being tested. For Russian subscribers, a “cooling-off period” of up to 24 hours has been introduced, reports the Ministry of Digital Development. The ministry says the new rules are designed to improve security — now it must be confirmed that a SIM card is being used by a person, not installed in a drone. A text message from the mobile operator notifies users about the block. To restore access, they must complete a captcha via the link provided. Internet and SMS are reactivated afterward. Verification is also possible by calling the hotline.

According to the URA.RU portal, Russian users receive messages saying: “We inform you that after returning from abroad, access to mobile internet will be restricted for 24 hours. You will receive an SMS from your operator to complete authorization.”

Even during the block, phone calls and several basic services remain available. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia notes that these include:

Gosuslugi, government and presidential administration websites;

banks and the Mir payment system, Mir Pay;

VK and Yandex services (including Taxi, Navigator, and Maps);

Ozon, Wildberries, Magnit, Avito, and video platforms.

Why the “cooling-off period” was introduced

Igor Bederov, Head of Investigations at T.Hunter, explained that the delay is linked to the operation of drones: once a drone loses connection, it becomes uncontrollable, and its battery drains within 24 hours. Roman Tinyayev of Strategy Partners told Kommersant that similar measures have long been used in other countries. In the U.S., SIM owners must be officially identified; in Israel, strict verification applies; and in India, communication can be restricted for several hours during security alerts.

Nikita Danilov, CEO of Fly Drone, said the “cooling-off period” may help in countering drones but cannot guarantee full protection. According to him, effective defense requires a combination of digital, radio-electronic, and physical measures. Irina Levova, Director of Strategic Projects at the Internet Research Institute, believes the problem of “suspicious” SIM cards could be solved by introducing IMEI tracking. Telecom market sources warn that some malfunctions are possible at the initial stage — the captcha SMS may not arrive, and access recovery could take longer. This could cause difficulties at airports, where every minute matters.

Regional restrictions and broader trends

The initiative is part of a wider wave of internet restrictions. According to the human rights organization Access Now, in June 2025 alone Russia recorded over 650 mobile internet shutdowns, and by July the number had exceeded 2,000. Outages occurred not only in border regions but also in major cities such as Nizhny Novgorod, Saratov, Omsk, Tula, and Rostov — even in areas without aerial threats.

In the Ulyanovsk region, mobile internet was partially cut off in zones with special-purpose facilities, reports RIA Novosti. Regional Minister of Property Relations, Urban Planning, and Digital Development Oleg Yagfarov said similar restrictions had existed before, but the affected areas have now been expanded by federal decision. The measures were introduced for security reasons, as the number of drone attacks has sharply increased in recent weeks. Full restoration of mobile internet in these areas is not expected soon — restrictions will remain at least until the end of hostilities. Internet access remains unstable not only across Ulyanovsk but also in rural areas. Residents are advised to use wired connections.

Widespread shutdowns across the country disrupt online services, banking apps, taxi and delivery platforms, and also pose risks for emergency calls and security systems. The situation is aggravated by the blocking of popular messengers.