Putin’s phone-in hit by ‘cyberattacks’

Putin taking part in an annual nationwide televised phone-in show in Moscow, Russia. This year’s phone-in on Wednesday, which lasted nearly four hours, repeatedly faced connection problems, particularly during calls from remote regions. — Kremlin via Reuters

MOSCOW: A televised phone-in with Russian President Vladimir Putin Wednesday was targeted by “powerful” cyberattacks, the state-run Rossiya 24 network which broadcast the event said.

Shown on Kremlin-friendly media, the annual session with Putin sees the president field in real time queries submitted by Russians throughout the country.