MOSCOW, (Reuters) – Russia reacted against social media companies Tuesday. This caused a slowdown in Twitter traffic (NYSE.) on Tuesday. A foreign ministry official also accused Meta and Google of inciting conflict.

The sixth day of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine saw a Russian armored column attack the capital Kyiv. Russian forces also fired rocket fires at the heart of Kharkiv (the second-largest city), while Moscow intensified its efforts to manage the situation.

Roskomnadzor the State Communications Regulator, placed a halt on Twitter loading speeds. The measure was lifted in May.

Twitter refused to comment.

Russia is blocking Twitter mobile apps for nearly a year. This part of a larger campaign for internet control critics claim threatens corporate and individual liberty.

Moscow partially blocked Facebook (NASDAQ) access.

According to Meta Platforms Inc, the owner of Facebook, this happened after the government refused to stop the independent fact-checking by several Russian state media outlets. Many of these have been subject to restrictions around the globe as Western countries seek to suppress the Kremlin’s messages.

Roskomnadzor claimed Tuesday that it sent Meta a demand for the immediate lifting of restrictions on state media outlets RT (Russian Television) and Sputnik on Instagram (Russian Communication).

Anna Belkina was RT’s assistant editor-in-chief. She said there is no evidence of inaccurate RT reporting. According to her, the Western establishment was afraid of other perspectives.

They don’t realize that their echo chamber is what seeds public distrust that they so often lament. “They will reap what their sow,” she stated.

‘INSTIGATORS FOR WAR’

Oleg Gavrilov (deputy head of the information department of the foreign ministry) said that the behavior of mainly U.S. technology giants such as Meta and Alphabet, Inc was unacceptable.

Interfax quoted him saying that “Hostile propaganda is being conducted openly on their social media platforms, Russian sources are being blocked, and access to domestic media are being massively limited.”

Gavrilov stated that a system must be established to hold foreign instigators to war against Russia accountable to increase Russian security.

Google and Meta didn’t immediately reply to our requests for comment.

After failing to open offices in Russia and taking other necessary measures as required under Russian communications laws, the two companies will be among few that are facing punitive sanctions.

EXITING RUSSIA

Facebook and Twitter both took some time to load Tuesday. Facebook also was not available on certain devices. These are signs that Moscow’s blocking capabilities have improved since unsuccessful attempts to limit access to Telegram messaging app Telegram.

Companies may be forced to flee Russia because of the growing pressure being placed upon tech companies by Western governments.

John Strand, an industry consultant said that the days when multinational companies could be focused on profits and not succumb to autocratic aggression or dictatorship were long gone. Russia sees the internet giants like Google and Facebook as an attack on its power over communications.

Strand stated that a conflict in Ukraine and the use of social media were not the most appropriate cocktail. He sent this email to Reuters. “Western companies have to make the decision whether they wish to continue doing business in Russia, under current and future conditions, or stop operations there.”