Refuge from Russia: Social Media, Protests, and the Power to Shut Down the Internet

In this episode of Refuge from Russia, Tami and Praveen unpack a headline that mixes protest fears, internet control, and market anxiety. They discuss how Russia’s FSB fits into the country’s system of information suppression, why internet shutdowns are often political choices rather than technical problems, and what a falling gold price can signal about pressure in the system. The conversation looks at how governments try to stop unrest from spreading by limiting communication, and why that matters for anyone following politics, media, and financial signals in Russia.Key topics:- Protest messaging and state fear- FSB and internet shutdowns- Information control and coordination during unrest- Gold prices as a signal of broader uncertainty- Why internet blackouts are political, not accidental