As Russia continues its military intervention into the revolution-rocked Ukraine, authorities are now blocking 13 activist websites on the Russian social media network, VKontakte. The Russian Prosecutor’s General Office ordered the agency’s overseeing media, Roskomnadzor, to block off dissident websites, accusing them of encouraging “terrorist activity,” reports the AP.
President Obama has called Russia’s military intervention of the Crimean area a violation of International law, threatening economic and diplomatic sanctions. The assault follows the ousting of pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych. Russia contends it is protecting civilians from turmoil.
Websites seem to be just the start of Russia’s plan.
Foreign Policy reports that “the Russian forces occupying Crimea are jamming cell phones and severing Internet connections between the peninsula and the rest of Ukraine.” Some telephone services have been blocked and Crimean government web portals taken offline.
Adam Segal, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, hinted at their future intentions. “If there is military conflict, cyber attacks will be used to degrade the ability of conventional forces to operate.”