Russia puts ‘partial restriction’ on Facebook access

By RAF CASERT and FOSTER KLUG
Associated Press

BRUSSELS (AP) — Russian authorities announced the “partial restriction” of access to Facebook after the social media network banned the accounts of several Kremlin-backed media over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian state communications watchdog Roskomnadzor said Friday it demanded that Facebook lift the bans it placed Thursday on state news agency RIA Novosti, state TV channel Zvezda, and pro-Kremlin news sites Lenta.Ru and Gazeta.Ru. The agency said Facebook didn’t reinstate the media outlets. Roskomnadzor said the “partial restriction” takes effect Friday, without clarifying what exactly the move means.In its official statement, Roskomnadzor cast its action as ’“measures to protect Russian media.”