Russia sees a rise in cash usage as mobile internet outages and other connectivity disruptions undermine digital payments, according to reporting from Bloomberg and the Japan Times. Both outlets describe how increased reliance on cash follows worsening reliability of mobile connectivity used for payment services. Bloomberg reports that cash demand is growing as digital payments become less dependable and notes that the Kremlin attributes some of the disruptions to measures intended to counter the threat of Ukrainian drone attacks. The Japan Times cites the Russian central bank, saying this year’s higher cash usage may be linked to repeated mobile internet shutdowns.
Taken together, the coverage indicates that restrictions affecting mobile networks are driving consumers and businesses to shift toward cash transactions. While the outlets focus on different elements—the Kremlin’s stated rationale versus the central bank’s assessment—they converge on the same core development: more frequent connectivity interruptions correspond with increased cash usage, reflecting disruption to the digital economy and payment infrastructure.
