Russia is facing a demographic crisis, but certain regions are reluctant to use dating apps.
Russia's Interior Ministry on Tuesday urged residents of the border regions of Bryansk, Kursk and Belgorod not to use dating apps as Kiev advances into Russian territory.
“We strongly advise against using online dating services as our enemies are actively using them to gather intelligence,” a Russian Interior Ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency, according to the Moscow Times.
After Western dating apps Tinder, Bumble and Badoo withdrew from the market, Russia's online dating market has been dominated by domestic apps.
Russian authorities on Tuesday advised residents in border areas not to use security cameras or broadcast footage on roads where military vehicles travel.
“The enemy has identified IP address ranges within our territory, remotely accessed unsecured security cameras and is monitoring everything from private gardens to strategic roads and highways,” the Russian Interior Ministry said.
The warning came after Ukraine launched a surprise incursion into Russia's Kursk region on August 6. On Tuesday, Ukrainian military leaders said Ukrainian forces had seized more Russian territory in Ukraine than Russian forces have seized since the beginning of 2024.
Russia's population could be halved by the end of the century
A report from the Atlantic Council released earlier this month said Russia's demographic crisis is so severe that the country's population could be halved by the end of the century.
Russia was in the midst of a demographic crisis even before its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
U.S. intelligence estimates that more than 300,000 Russian soldiers will have been killed or wounded in the Ukraine war by the end of 2023. An estimated one million people have fled Russia since the war began, raising tensions. Brain drain and Labor shortage Within the country.
Overall, Russia's population growth has declined over the past decade. World Bank The data shows.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is paying special attention to the demographic issue.
In November, President Trump extolled the virtues of large families and urged women to have eight or more children.
Earlier this year, President Putin called on Russians to have more children in order to ensure the survival of the ethnic group.