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Asharq Al-Awsat

Technology

Asharq Al-Awsat

Russian-Backed Separatist Region of East Ukraine Blocks Facebook, Instagram

Facebook Instagram Ukraine United States Russia DPR Meta Moscow Donetsk Luhansk

This file photo taken in Moscow on October 05, 2021, shows the US online social media and social networking service Facebook's logo on a smartphone screen. (AFP)

The Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine said on Wednesday it had blocked access to Facebook and Instagram, aligning itself with Russia's policy on the US-based social networks.

Moscow recognized the DPR and a second region of eastern Ukraine - the Luhansk People's Republic - as independent on Feb. 21, and sent troops into Ukraine three days later, citing as one of its reasons the need to protect Russian-speakers there.

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