Russia Plans to Restrict International Calls for Citizens - Intelligence

The Ukrainian Foreign Intelligence Service (SZR) has revealed alarming plans by the Russian government to impose new restrictions on international phone calls for its citizens. This initiative appears to be motivated by a desire to exert greater control over the communications of Russians, especially those living outside the country.

According to information provided by the SZR, one of the key proposals includes the automatic blocking of international calls for elderly individuals. This raises significant concerns, as it could severely hinder the ability of older citizens to communicate with relatives and loved ones who reside abroad. The implications of such a measure could lead to increased isolation for many elderly Russians, who often rely on international calls to maintain family connections.

In addition to these restrictions, Roskomnadzor, the regulatory body overseeing communications in Russia, has suggested that Russians living abroad should configure their devices to use recommended Russian proxy servers. This move is likely to result in slower performance of messaging applications, as users would be compelled to route their communications through servers controlled by the Russian authorities. Such a requirement could lead to significant disruptions in the daily communications of those living outside Russia.

The situation is further complicated by the existing labor legislation in the Russian Federation, which effectively makes it impossible for citizens residing abroad to formalize remote work arrangements. The Russian Labor Code mandates that individuals must specify their place of employment, and its regulations are only applicable within the territory of Russia. This creates additional challenges for those seeking to work remotely, as they are unable to legally formalize their activities while outside the country.

Meanwhile, a government commission on legislative activity in Russia has issued a negative opinion on a proposal that would have prohibited deputies and civil servants from owning property abroad. The authors of the bill highlighted the risks of foreign influence through overseas assets; however, the document was deemed to require significant revision. This reflects a notable imbalance between the restrictions imposed on ordinary Russians and the approaches taken towards controlling the actions of government representatives.

It is important to note that in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, Russian invaders are systematically restricting access to Western social networks, which further underscores a general trend towards controlling the information space. Such actions have raised concerns not only within Ukraine but also among the international community, which is closely monitoring developments in the region.

In light of these circumstances, it is crucial to stay informed about the news and events unfolding in Russia and Ukraine. Join our channels on Telegram, Instagram, and YouTube to keep up with the latest news and analysis on this pressing issue.