Twitter Access Restricted To Russian Users Amid Ukraine Conflict

Twitter TWTR.N users in Russia have been denied access to the bluebird app following the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine.

On Friday, a day after Russia invaded Ukraine, Moscow said it was partially limiting access to Meta Platforms Inc’s FB.O Facebook, accusing it of “censoring” Russian media.

Twitter said it was working to keep its service safe and accessible. It did not immediately respond to a question on whether Russia had communicated with the company about any actions.

We’re aware that Twitter is being restricted for some people in Russia and are working to keep our service safe and accessible.

— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) February 26, 2022

Internet blockage observatory NetBlocks reported that Twitter had been restricted on leading networks.

A Reuters reporter in Moscow on Saturday said the site was slow and had difficulties sending tweets.

⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show that Twitter has been restricted on multiple providers in #Russia as of 9:00 a.m. UTC; the incident comes as the government clashes with social media platforms over policy in relation to the #Ukraine conflict 📉

📰 Report: https://t.co/ihPX8fb86s pic.twitter.com/nGrcHzjIXd

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) February 26, 2022

Russia has been trying to exert tighter control over the internet and big tech companies for years, in efforts that critics say threaten individual and corporate freedom, and are part of a wider crackdown against outspoken opponents of the Kremlin.

Last year, Moscow slowed down the speed of Twitter in a punitive move because it said the site was not removing illegal content.

Since Russia invaded, 198 civilians, including three children, have been killed and 1,115 wounded, says Ukraine’s health minister.

Meanwhile, Russia orders its troops to advance “from all directions” as it pounds the Ukrainian military with cruise missiles.