Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov of Belgorod region expressed concern over the impact of mobile internet outages following complaints from residents about the disruptions. He stated that these outages are particularly dangerous for those living near the Ukrainian border, as they prevent timely receipt of air raid alerts. The interruption of service has been linked to an increase in civilian deaths and injuries from cross-border attacks.

In 2022, nearly 150 people in Belgorod lost their lives due to such attacks, and alarming statistics indicate that in 2026, the death toll and injuries have significantly increased compared to previous years. The governor highlighted that the lack of reliable communication exacerbates the threat to local residents, making it difficult for them to respond to emergencies promptly.

Moreover, internet outages have become a common symptom of the ongoing conflict, as air defense systems in Russia reportedly jam signals, complicating the communication landscape. The situation raises serious questions about the safety of those living in volatile border regions and calls for urgent measures to improve infrastructure for public safety.