(VOVworld) – Member of the Federation Council’s Committee on Defense and Security Olga Kovitidi said on Friday that the Internet was turned off in the north of Crimea for security reasons.

The Internet was turned off in the north of Crimea for security reasons (Photo: Alexander Ryumin/TASS)

Crimea has been annexed by the Russian Federation since 2014, igniting tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Russia accused Ukraine of plotting attacks in Crimea last week. Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) said it prevented terrorist attacks on Crimea that were planned by the Ukrainian military intelligence. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed with the Security Council members additional measures of ensuring security of citizens and infrastructure facilities in Crimea. Russia is considering retaliatory measures, including a possible cut-off of diplomatic ties with Ukraine.