Russian propagandists were given access to special VPNs to reach the…
Russian propagandists were given access to special VPNs to reach the 'external internet'. Russian propagandistic media outlets began receiving special means from the government to bypass blocks and access the 'external internet'.
Consensus
- The Ministry of Digital Development of Russia received a request from 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta' for access to the external internet.
- The request was made by Oleg Kapranov, who is the head of the 'Technologies' project at 'Rossiyskaya Gazeta'.
- The request cited difficulties in working on the external internet due to technical restrictions, including blocked VPNs.
- Specific issues mentioned include restricted communication with foreign correspondents, difficulties transferring photo and video content, and inability to download materials from YouTube and news photo banks like APF and Reuters.
- The request was forwarded by Maxim Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development, to Deputy Minister Bella Cherkesova.
- Cherkesova responded by stating she would discuss the matter with the requester.
Points of divergence
- The Russian government began distributing special tools for bypassing blocks and accessing the external internet to propaganda media outlets. — tg_moscowtimes_ru
- The hacker group Black8Mirror published screenshots of the correspondence, and the Telegram account ID of Kapranov matches the one on the screenshot. — tg_agentstvonews
Coverage (2 sources)
- Russian propagandists were given «special VPN» for access to «external internet» — The Moscow Times
- «Russian Gazeta» asked «head of the Ministry of Digital Development» for access «to the external internet» — Агентство. Новости
Key entities
- Ministry of Digital Development
- Russian Gazette
- Maxut Shadaev
- Black8Mirror
- Bella Cherkeseva
- Special VPN
- Media
- Agency
- Oleg Kapranov