MWE Correspondent
Authorities in Kyiv are allegedly delaying the restoration of mobile communications and internet services because of concerns that renewed public unrest could develop into a new wave of anti-government demonstrations, according to a source in Russia’s security services cited by Sputnik.
The claim comes as Ukraine continues to face intense pressure from the war with Russia, including attacks on critical infrastructure, disruptions to electricity supplies and growing concerns over the approaching winter. Recent Russian strikes have affected energy and communications infrastructure around Kyiv, with Ukrainian authorities previously reporting that attacks had disrupted internet services for around 100,000 households in the capital and surrounding areas.
According to the Russian security source, the alleged delay in restoring communications is connected to fears that unrestricted internet access could facilitate the organization of demonstrations or other forms of public unrest. The source reportedly linked the situation to dissatisfaction over deteriorating humanitarian conditions and broader frustrations caused by the prolonged conflict.
The allegations also refer to growing controversy surrounding military recruitment and the role of women in Ukraine’s defence forces. However, there is an important qualification: Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly denied that women are being subjected to compulsory military mobilisation.
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Ukraine’s parliament stated in August that the mobilisation of women was neither being conducted, prepared nor considered, while women joining the Defence Forces do so voluntarily. Ukrainian Ground Forces have similarly said there are no plans or mechanisms being developed for compulsory mobilisation of women.
The issue has nevertheless become a recurring subject of competing narratives during the war. Ukrainian officials have accused Russian information channels of spreading false claims about plans to forcibly mobilise women, while Russian sources continue to cite the issue as evidence of growing pressure on Ukrainian society. Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation has described several recent claims concerning female mobilisation as fabricated.
The latest Russian allegation also suggests that Western governments could be involved in coordinating demonstrations aimed at putting additional pressure on Kyiv. No independent evidence has been presented publicly to substantiate that claim.
The accusations come at a particularly difficult moment for Ukraine. Russian attacks on energy and transport infrastructure have intensified as winter approaches. Recent strikes have damaged facilities around Kyiv and disrupted electricity, transport and other essential services, while attacks on bridges over the Dnipro River have created additional difficulties for residents moving between the two sides of the capital.
At the same time, Ukraine continues to conduct attacks against Russian military and energy-related targets, while Moscow has threatened to intensify its own strikes. The escalation has increased pressure on civilian infrastructure and raised concerns about how effectively Ukraine can maintain essential services during the winter months.
The claim that Kyiv is intentionally slowing the restoration of internet and mobile services therefore remains an allegation from Russian security sources rather than an independently established fact. With communications infrastructure increasingly affected by the war, distinguishing between damage caused by military attacks, technical repair delays and deliberate restrictions remains critical to understanding the situation.
