Russia blocks more news outlets

Russian authorities have blocked several independent media outlets including news site Mediazona as the Kremlin seeks to control coverage of its war in Ukraine, a rights group said.

Authorities have blocked a number of digital media outlets, including Mediazona, Republic, Snob.ru and Agentstvo, said Roskomsvoboda, a digital rights group.

The group said the independent media had been targeted following a request from the General Prosecutor's Office dated February 24, the day President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade Ukraine.

Mediazona said it had been blocked "because we cover honestly what is happening in Ukraine and call the invasion an invasion, and the war a war".

The media outlet added that Russia has in recent days introduced "military censorship and there is almost no independent media left in the country".

Republic said the state communications watchdog had not informed it of the reason for the blockage but said readers would still be able to access it via a VPN.

"Thank you for staying with us. The night will pass," Republic said in a statement late on Sunday.