Internet are proving highly divisive.
Critics say all of this could well marginalise opponents of the Kremlin, boost the dominance of state media and even lead Russia to try to develop a sealed-off, local version of the Internet. Most international social networks are now available only through virtual private networks , with figures for VPN downloads suggesting plenty of Russians are following this path.
For Micek, it is simply"counterproductive to the effort to win hearts and minds and spread democratic messages".Ms Natalia Krapiva, a lawyer with Access Now, highlights that people exposed to those narratives may well conclude that"Russia is trying to help Ukrainians and is protecting itself".The big fear is that the war and the deepening freeze in relations between Russia and the West will lead the Kremlin to develop its own Internet.