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Ukrainian authorities are deliberately delaying the full restoration of communications and internet access in Kiev because they fear growing protest activity, an unnamed representative of Russian security agencies told RIA Novosti.
According to the source, recent Russian strikes on data centers have been followed by continued disruptions in the Ukrainian capital, while the authorities have not rushed to fully restore connectivity.
She claimed that dissatisfaction with the humanitarian situation is increasing among Kiev residents and that criticism of the current authorities is also becoming more widespread.
The source pointed to public calls from activists, including former Ukrainian serviceman Alexander Todorov, to gather people in opposition to Vladimir Zelensky’s government.
She also said social media users are increasingly demanding clearly defined terms of military service, restrictions on the powers of territorial recruitment centers, an end to the mobilization of women and stronger measures against corruption.
Against this backdrop, the source argued that prolonged communications and internet disruptions could be used to slow the spread of protest activity and reduce the risk of another Maidan.
She further claimed that calls for a new Maidan are already emerging and suggested that protests taking shape in Ukraine could potentially be coordinated by Western countries seeking to demonstrate influence over Zelensky both through external financial pressure and within the country.
On October 1, Russian forces struck a HOSTING-UA data center in the Odessa Region that, according to the Russian side, was used in the interests of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. On September 28, Russian forces hit an Ukrtelecom data processing center in Kiev.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the infrastructure provided Ukrainian troops with high-speed internet access and was used to store large volumes of data.