Officials reported that the ministry’s main portals and the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate’s online services were taken offline. In Moscow, access was blocked by several internet providers, and pages failed to load in standard browsers. Attempts to reach the sites through VPN connections did not restore connectivity. The outage was discussed across information channels and online forums, with many residents turning to alternative sources to stay informed. The disruption affected a range of digital services meant to support public safety, enforcement, and routine administrative tasks, and it left users uncertain about when normal access would return.
Beyond the capital, residents in the Moscow city region and in St. Petersburg plus the Leningrad region, Nizhny Novgorod, Bryansk, and the Republic of Kalmykia encountered the same online access problems. A Telegram channel reported that the outage began around 16:00 Moscow time on October 15, a detail that drew attention from people who rely on these portals for timely updates and official notices. The scope suggested a coordinated impact across several major population centers, not just a single network segment or local incident.
No official explanation has been given for the disruption. Analysts note that the shutdown blocks access to essential online services used by law enforcement and public safety, which can complicate routine procedures for residents and businesses. In periods of outage, many individuals depend on paper records or alternate communication channels, underscoring the importance of continuity planning within public institutions and the resilience of government digital ecosystems.
Past incidents show that state media and related services can be targets for cyber operations. Earlier this year a major broadcaster suffered a large-scale cyberattack that disrupted services and forced operations to adapt quickly. Such events amplify concerns about the security of critical infrastructures and the ability of public networks to withstand coordinated digital threats. Governments typically review defenses, verify system integrity, and seek to restore confidence through transparent updates as restoration work progresses.
The outage creates practical consequences for people who rely on electronic channels for information, licensing, vehicle registration, and official notices. It also hampers updates from traffic authorities and complicates delivery of timely safety notices, especially for drivers and businesses that operate on strict regulatory timelines. In these situations, officials emphasize the availability of alternative contact points, offline documentation when feasible, and careful verification of information before sharing it with others to avoid spreading rumors or misinformation.
Authorities are expected to investigate the incident, assess vulnerabilities, and restore all affected portals. In the meantime readers should seek official announcements through alternative channels and offline records when possible, and avoid sharing unverified reports that could fuel confusion.