Ukrainian pro-Russian forces block Google access to "promote violence against Russians"

Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), pro-Russian separatist forces in the Donbus region of eastern Ukraine, have blocked access to Google.

According to communications such as AFP and Reuters on July 22nd (local time), DPR chief Denis Pushilin said through Telegram that "Google is promoting violence against Russians, especially the residents of Donbus."

"Google is openly following the orders of U.S. government administrators" and Pushilin said that "the West and Ukraine are applying unprecedented physical and psychological pressure aimed at the residents. We cannot stand by and watch this happen any longer. Criminals must be isolated from the population of any society."

LPR also blocked access to Google the day before for the same reason.

Google hasn't disclosed its position on this.

The DPR and LPR are unilaterally declared by pro-Russian separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of the Donbas region in 2014, approving their independence on February 21st, three days before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.