<p>The Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine said on Wednesday it had blocked access to Facebook and Instagram, aligning itself with Russia's policy on the -based social networks.</p>.<p>Moscow recognised the DPR and a second region of eastern Ukraine - the Luhansk People's Republic - as independent on Feb. 21, and sent troops into Ukraine three days later, citing as one of its reasons the need to protect Russian speakers there.</p>.<p>"Access to the information resources of the American company Meta, which allows calls for violence against Russian-speaking users on its social networks, has already been blocked," the DPR's communications ministry said in a statement.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/un-chief-guterres-does-not-see-ukraine-peace-negotiations-any-time-soon-1108336.html" target="_blank">UN chief Guterres does not see Ukraine peace negotiations any time soon</a></strong></p>.<p>"In light of this, access to the Facebook and Instagram social networks is blocked on the republic's territory."</p>.<p>Meta Platforms Inc did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>.<p>Russia banned Facebook and Instagram in March after a court found Meta guilty of "extremist activity". Moscow had already curbed access to Facebook for restricting Russian media outlets' access to the platform.</p>.<p>Russia's state communications regulator blocked access to Instagram in March after Meta said it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages such as "Death to the Russian invaders".</p>.<p>Meta said the temporary change in its hate speech policy applied only to Ukraine.</p>.<p>Russia has cultivated close ties with Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as the Donbas, since supporting a pro-Russian insurgency following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.</p>.<p>Both regions receive financial support from Moscow, use the Russian rouble as their currency and teach the Russian curriculum in their schools.</p>
<p>The Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine said on Wednesday it had blocked access to Facebook and Instagram, aligning itself with Russia's policy on the -based social networks.</p>.<p>Moscow recognised the DPR and a second region of eastern Ukraine - the Luhansk People's Republic - as independent on Feb. 21, and sent troops into Ukraine three days later, citing as one of its reasons the need to protect Russian speakers there.</p>.<p>"Access to the information resources of the American company Meta, which allows calls for violence against Russian-speaking users on its social networks, has already been blocked," the DPR's communications ministry said in a statement.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/world-news-politics/un-chief-guterres-does-not-see-ukraine-peace-negotiations-any-time-soon-1108336.html" target="_blank">UN chief Guterres does not see Ukraine peace negotiations any time soon</a></strong></p>.<p>"In light of this, access to the Facebook and Instagram social networks is blocked on the republic's territory."</p>.<p>Meta Platforms Inc did not immediately respond to a request for comment.</p>.<p>Russia banned Facebook and Instagram in March after a court found Meta guilty of "extremist activity". Moscow had already curbed access to Facebook for restricting Russian media outlets' access to the platform.</p>.<p>Russia's state communications regulator blocked access to Instagram in March after Meta said it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages such as "Death to the Russian invaders".</p>.<p>Meta said the temporary change in its hate speech policy applied only to Ukraine.</p>.<p>Russia has cultivated close ties with Donetsk and Luhansk, collectively known as the Donbas, since supporting a pro-Russian insurgency following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014.</p>.<p>Both regions receive financial support from Moscow, use the Russian rouble as their currency and teach the Russian curriculum in their schools.</p>