Russian-backed separatists in a breakaway region of eastern Ukraine have blocked access to the search engine Google, their leader said on Friday, citing what he calls "disinformation".
In a message posted on his Telegram channel, Denis Pushilin,
head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), accused Google of
promoting "violence against all Russians" and said that its
"handlers from the US government" were to blame.
"If Google stops pursuing its criminal policy and
returns to the mainstream of law, morality and common sense, there will be no
obstacles to its work," he said. He did not provide evidence to support
his assertions.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Since sending troops into Ukraine on February 24, Russia and
its proxies in eastern Ukraine have accused Western companies of spreading
anti-Russian propaganda and taking a one-sided stance on the conflict.
Russia banned Facebook and Instagram in March after a court
found Facebook-owner Meta guilty of "extremist activity". Moscow had
already curbed access to Facebook for restricting Russian media outlets' access
to the platform.
The DPR and separate Luhansk People's Republic (LPR)
followed suit in blocking Facebook and Instagram, aligning themselves with
Russia's policy on the US-based social networks.
Earlier this week, a Moscow court fined Google RUB 21
billion for failing to remove content concerning Russia's military intervention
in Ukraine, the nation's telecommunications regulator said Monday.
Regulator Roskomnadzor said the Google-owned video platform
YouTube had failed to block "false information" on the offensive in
Ukraine, "extremist and terrorist propaganda" and content
"calling on minors to participate in unauthorised demonstrations."
The regulator said that as this was a repeat conviction for
Google, the fine was based on its annual revenue in Russia. © Reuters
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