Recent reports indicate temporary breaks in 4G communications across the Leningrad, Pskov, and Novgorod regions, tied to technical measures. The information comes from TASS, which cited Maksut Shadayev, the Russian Minister of Digital Development, in its coverage of the situation.
Shadayev described the events as technical in nature. He emphasized that these outages are not the result of planning errors or drills, and he did not indicate any ongoing plans to extend similar actions to other regions. He also stated that the disruptions should not be viewed as exercises, framing them instead as deliberate technical steps.
Earlier reporting by RBC, referencing telecom industry sources, suggested that disruptions to LTE 4G mobile data could have occurred from January 25 to January 30 across the same regions. The reports speculated that the outages might be connected to security-related measures aimed at safeguarding drone operations and maintaining airspace security. The timing coincided with visits by high-ranking officials to the area, which some observers linked to the reported measures.
Local authorities attributed the outages to technical work intended to reconfigure the radio frequency spectrum used by transmitting equipment. The explanation points to infrastructure maintenance or optimization tasks rather than any broader network shutdown strategy.
In earlier coverage, there were mentions of plans to deploy or introduce a system designed to counter drones in the Leningrad region. While details remained undisclosed, officials indicated that such systems could be part of a broader approach to ensuring regional security and airspace integrity.
The overall narrative from official channels stresses that the outages are rooted in technical configuration and spectrum management rather than punitive actions against consumers. Industry observers continue to monitor for updates, including any official statements that might clarify the scope, duration, and potential regional reach of these measures. The situation underscores the ongoing attention given to network resilience, security technologies, and the coordination between telecommunications and national safety objectives in the region.