Instagram inaccessible across Russia amid Moscow's invasion of Ukraine

On Monday, Instagram appeared in a list of 'restricted online resources' which was published by Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor.

Social media platform Instagram on Monday was rendered inaccessible for netizens across Russia, AFP reported. The blockade comes days after Moscow accused Instagram's parent company Meta of allowing calls for violence against Russians on its platform.

Instagram no longer accessible in Russia (Reuters)

Earlier on Saturday, Instagram's head Adam Mosseri had denounced Russia's plan to block access to the platform. Taking to Twitter, he had written, “On Monday, Instagram will be blocked in Russia. This decision will cut 80 million in Russia off from one another, and from the rest of the world as 80% of people in Russia follow an Instagram account outside their country. This is wrong."

On Monday, Instagram appeared in a list of 'restricted online resources' published by Russia's media regulator Roskomnadzor.

Instagram's parent company, Meta, had eased its hate speech policy. Meta's President of Global Affairs Nick Clegg in a statement had clarified that the company focuses on 'protecting peoples' right to speech as an expression of self-defense in reaction to a military invasion of their country.' He had further added that they will not tolerate any 'Russophobia', or any kind of violence or harassment towards Russians.

Russia, the largest country in the world, has a huge number of Facebook and Instagram users. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms among youngsters. It was also a key platform for small Russian businesses, reported AFP.

The fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces continues for the 19th straight day. Several cities have come under missile attacks by the Russians, forcing civilians to take refuge in bomb shelters.