Russia experienced its widest communications disruption since the start of the war in Ukraine, with mobile internet services knocked out in 79 of the country’s 89 regions and wired connections restricted in 48 regions, independent monitoring groups reported on Wednesday. Several areas also suffered broader fixed-line failures, leaving businesses and residents without reliable voice, data or payment services. The outages coincided with a renewed wave of Ukrainian drone strikes. Russia’s Defence Ministry said it shot down more than 200 drones over the weekend, including 91 overnight on Monday. Analysts say temporary shutdowns of cellular networks have become a routine security measure during air-raid alerts, but the current scale — effectively nationwide — marks a new high in the conflict. Transport links were hit as well. From Saturday through early Monday, 485 flights were cancelled and another 1,900 delayed at major hubs including Moscow’s Sheremetyevo, St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo and Nizhny Novgorod’s Strigino, according to industry data cited by The Moscow Times. The disruptions are estimated to have cost carriers about 20 billion rubles ($250 million). The simultaneous collapse of internet and transport infrastructure has disrupted electronic payments, navigation apps and official warning systems. Retailers in several cities advised customers to carry cash, while travellers faced long waits for alternative connections amid limited rail options outside the Moscow–St. Petersburg corridor. Communications watchdogs warn that further blackouts are likely if drone activity persists.