In order to prevent soldiers from inadvertently revealing Russia’s involvement in secretive military campaigns, such as those that were carried out four years ago in Ukraine in support of pro-Russian separatists, a new law in Russia makes it illegal for troops to post photographs, videos and geolocation data online.
However, experts doubt that the legislation will have a significant effect, as Russian soldiers are very active on the Internet and may look for ways to get around the law, such as carrying a second phone that they keep hidden from their commanders. As Kirill Mikhailov of the Conflict Intelligence Team explains: “Russian soldiers are millennials for the most part. They love social media. They aren’t going to give it up entirely.”
Read more: Russian Military Says Nyet to the Internet
