Russia's mass media watchdog blocks 600 resources with fake news about terrorist attacks
Roskomnadzor said that after the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall, many new Telegram channels allegedly informing about upcoming terrorist attacks in Russia appeared
MOSCOW, March 28. /TASS/. Russia's mass media and telecommunications watchdog (Roskomnadzor) has initiated the blocking of about 600 resources spreading fake information about the organization of new terrorist attacks in Russia, the watchdog’s press service told TASS.
The watchdog said that after the terrorist attack on the Crocus City Hall music venue in a Moscow suburb, many new Telegram channels allegedly informing about upcoming terrorist attacks in Russia appeared. Access to 11 of these channels was restricted.
"In total, as of today, Roskomnadzor has restricted access to or removed about 600 such resources on all sites [of the Russian segment of the Internet]," the press service said.
On the evening of March 22, a terrorist attack targeted the Crocus City Hall music venue in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region, just outside the Moscow city limits. At least 143 people were killed. According to the latest data, some 360 people were injured, 205 of whom received medical assistance.
Eleven people suspected of involvement in the terrorist attack have been apprehended, including the four gunmen, who were arrested in the Bryansk Region, southwest of Moscow, as they attempted to flee to Ukraine across the nearby border.
President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address that, according to preliminary information, the Ukrainian side had prepared "a window" at the border especially for the terrorists to cross undetected. He promised to identify and punish all those who were behind the attack on Crocus City Hall.