Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday defended internet shutdowns in Russia, which have triggered a wave of widespread discontent in the country. Putin claims that these measures were introduced for security reasons and because of the threat of terrorism. The defense came at a time when dozens of people are gathering near the Kremlin with petitions calling on the president to end the internet crackdown. Moscow residents are increasingly angry about these measures, signaling growing public dissatisfaction with control over the network. STVR (Spravy) ↗
A new significant development concerns the traditional May 9 military parade. For the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, Moscow is radically scaling down the ceremonial parade. This year Russia will not display tanks and missile systems on Red Square in Moscow. The Kremlin justifies the decision by citing "terrorism" and the threat of Ukrainian attacks. The parade will feature only military infantry without heavy equipment. This is the first time in almost twenty years that this has happened, which experts interpret as a sign of Moscow's weakness and a significant symbolic step at a time when the Russian army is struggling with a shortage of equipment at the front. denik.cz ↗
At the same time, Russia's energy infrastructure is facing serious problems. The city of Tuapse on the Black Sea declared a state of emergency after a new attack by Ukrainian drones on an oil refinery. The fire at the refinery site, which has been burning since April 16, flared up again during the night on Tuesday. City authorities reported that firefighters have the situation under control, but the evacuation of residents continues due to toxic smoke and mercury from the damaged facility. Putin sent a minister to the site to deal with the crisis. According to available information, this is the third major attack on Russian energy facilities within two weeks. hnonline.sk ↗
At the same time, the Russian leadership is considering revising its approach to tightening internet restrictions, as concerns about a possible decline in the president's popularity could slow down the repression. The changes could also affect the blocking of the Telegram service, which could be eased. Such considerations show that the regime is aware of the negative impact of strict regulations on Putin's public support. At the same time, Russia is expanding control over the information space through training camps for young propagandists. In Moscow, "troll armies" are being created, where young people learn how to create a favorable atmosphere for the Kremlin on social networks. Onet Wiadomosci ↗
In terms of financing the war, Moscow's leadership is turning to oligarchs. According to German and Russian media, Vladimir Putin is demanding contributions from Russian oligarchs for the military operation. According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia reached a historically record defense budget in 2025, which increases pressure for additional sources of funding. El Pais ↗
Moscow scales back military parade and faces energy crisis, Putin tightens control
Videos
This summary was generated by artificial intelligence. It may contain inaccuracies. Please verify information in the original sources below.
Sources (4)
Plötzlich will Putin doch wieder der beste Freund der Mullahs sein
Der Standard
| 17:04 27.04.
Nowa broń Putina w sieci. Rosja chwali się obozem dla młodych trolli
Onet Wiadomosci
| 12:21 29.04.
Pierwsza taka sytuacja od niemal 20 lat. Wielki pokaz słabości Moskwy. Największe święto Putina stało się blamażem
Onet Wiadomosci
| 09:55 29.04.
Ruský súd označil skupinu LGBT Network za extrémistickú organizáciu
teraz.sk
| 07:35 28.04.
🔥 You might also like
📰
Ukraine
Putin faces a growing crisis: support is falling, the economy is declining, the Kremlin has shut itself off from the world community
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday defended the internet shutdowns in Russia, which have triggered a wave of discontent across the country. Putin clai …
European Union
What Europe Is Writing About: US Senators Want to Scrap Deal with Putin, Guilfoyle's Fall, Pope Has Lung Cancer
US senators demand cancellation of Trump's oil deal with Putin, Ambassador Guilfoyle forced to resign, Pope diagnosed with lung cancer. Overview from 37 countri …
European Union
What Europe writes about: bloody Pryluky on Putin's birthday, Abascal's death intensifies Spanish campaign, Rubio stirs Athens
Russia strikes Pryluky on Putin's birthday, Abascal's death sharpens campaign before snap elections, Rubio mobilizes Europe from Athens. Overview from 37 countr …
© HotInfo
Geographic locations
From our newsroom original
All →
Magyar to meet Zelensky in Brussels for the first time
Poprad Theatre actor Michal Novák dies at the age of 49
Marek Forgáč becomes the new Archbishop Metropolitan of Košice
What the Czech media are writing about: ANO lost in the big cities, support fell below thirty percent. Coalitions are bypassing it in many of them
Felipe VI in Ceuta: Sánchez confirms, more than two months on, that Moroccan warships entered Ceuta's waters
Meloni's electoral law: lawyers are preparing 30 lawsuits to the Constitutional Court, the ruling may come only after the elections
In Zurich, police were bombarded with rockets and stones, no one has been arrested yet
Mecca Alliance: Riyadh airport closed until October 17, pact awaits vote in Ankara
