How to get mobile internet back after a trip abroad. Izvestia's instructions

Since November 10, 2025, mobile operators have launched a special cooling mode in test mode for Russian subscribers who have returned from abroad, as well as for those whose SIM cards have been inactive for 72 hours. These measures are aimed at reducing the risks of drone attacks. Read about how to restore communication and what services are available during the blocking period in the Izvestia article.

SIM Card cooling period — what it is and how it works

The cooling—off period is a temporary restriction of access to mobile Internet and SMS messages. It is activated in two cases:

• if the subscriber has returned from international roaming;
• The SIM card has been inactive for the last 72 hours.

The restriction lasts 24 hours. This is necessary to protect Russian regions from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as they often use SIM cards to control them. At the same time, subscribers still have access to regular calls, as well as to a number of services from the so-called operator whitelists. Therefore, a person will not remain without communication after crossing the border.

A short summary: how not to be left without Internet after returning to Russia from abroad

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How to restore access to the mobile Internet after returning from abroad

To resume full access to the mobile Internet, you do not need to wait for the end of the 24-hour period. Telecom operators have provided a simplified authorization procedure, confirming that the owner of the SIM card is human.

To restore access, you need to:

• receive an SMS notification from the operator with a link for authorization;
• Disable Wi-Fi, VPN, and airplane mode on your device;
• follow the received link in to the operator's page in the browser;
• enter the phone number to receive the one-time code and confirm it;
• complete a test task (a simple captcha for moving a slider, assembling a puzzle, etc.).

After successful completion of all the verification steps, the operator sends a confirmation SMS message. Full access to Internet services and messengers is restored automatically within five minutes.

What should I do if I can't access the mobile Internet?

In case of difficulties during the authorization procedure, users can ask for help from telecom operators. Contact center specialists will tell you how to restore access.

How to complete authorization:

• call the operator's support service;
• complete identification by answering standard questions (name the code word, passport data, etc.);
• provide the necessary information to verify your identity.

The operator will check and restore access manually.

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What services are available when the mobile Internet is blocked

For the duration of the security regime, subscribers retain access to key Internet services included in the so-called whitelist. This approach makes it possible to solve most everyday tasks: calling a taxi, getting information about transport, accessing mail services and social networks.

Each operator creates a whitelist by itself, but in most cases subscribers can:

• Gosuslugi portal;
• Yandex services (Taxi, Food, Shop, Navigator, maps);
• VK platforms (VKontakte, Zen, Odnoklassniki, etc.);
• The MAX messenger;
• Rutube video hosting;
• Ozon, Wildberries, and Avito marketplaces.

It is still problematic to use a mobile bank without authorization — so far only Alfa-Bank and the Mir payment system (fast payment system, Mir Pay) are on the white lists of operators. Therefore, you should withdraw cash in advance or top up your card balance before returning to Russia or disconnecting your mobile connection for a long time.

Earlier, the Ministry of Finance told how Russians can avoid blocking a SIM card when traveling to the Kaliningrad region.