Network users reported outages affecting the Instagram app and the Facebook service, both owned by Meta. These disruptions were observed through the outage-tracking platform Downdetector, which aggregates user reports to indicate real-time service status. The reports suggest a noticeable spike in problem reports around the same time, signaling a broader impact on social media access during the incident window.
According to Downdetector data, more than 53,000 users reported issues with Instagram around 18:20 Moscow time, while a substantially larger group, exceeding 505,000 users, reported problems with Facebook in the same timeframe. The pattern implies a widespread connectivity challenge that affected multiple features across these platforms, potentially impacting posting, messaging, and content loading for a large segment of users in the region.
On 18 February, Telegram also experienced a significant outage. Reports indicated that both the Messenger app and the web version ceased functioning for a period. Downdetector logged a high volume of complaints from users around 14:08 Moscow time, with approximately 490 users reporting the failure at that moment. The Center for Monitoring and Management of Public Communications Networks in Russia, known as TsMU SSOP, cited issues in the platform’s internal infrastructure as a contributing factor to the disruption, highlighting how backend systems can influence front-end accessibility for users.
Following the interruption, Telegram’s services reportedly resumed normal operation, and subsequent user feedback did not indicate additional widespread issues on the platform. The episode underscored how intermittent outages can ripple through messaging ecosystems, affecting both mobile applications and web interfaces as the systems recover and reroute traffic.
Earlier reports included a separate security assessment noting that many Russian passwords could be compromised quickly, pointing to broader concerns about authentication and account safety that can compound the user experience during service outages. This connection between security and reliability underscores the importance of robust identity protection and prompt incident response as essential components of maintaining user confidence during platform disruptions.