ISTANBUL

Voice calls on WhatsApp and Telegram have been restricted in Russia due to mobile operators’ inability to carry out infrastructure upgrades under international sanctions, according to local media and monitoring data.

Downdetector, which monitors online service outages, reported that Russian users began experiencing call disruptions on both platforms early Monday.

Russian news outlets reported that mobile operators informed the government that sanctions had prevented essential network updates, prompting a request to limit WhatsApp and Telegram calls to reduce traffic.

While there has been no official statement, some officials claim the restrictions are necessary to combat phone fraud.

On July 18, several lawmakers in the State Duma demanded a complete ban on WhatsApp, claiming it posed a threat to national security.