Screenshot: DownDetector

A major internet outage has been reported across Russia, with users unable to access dozens of websites and apps on Tuesday afternoon.

The outage has affected popular messengers and social media apps including Telegram, WhatsApp and VK, several online banking apps, and search engines including Google and Yandex, according to Downdetector, a website that monitors website accessibility.

Users of major mobile phone operators, including Beeline, MegaFon and MTS have also reported being unable to connect to the internet.

The reason for the mass outage is unclear, with Russia’s media watchdog Roskomnadzor telling pro-Kremlin Telegram channel Mash that it was “unaware” of the cause, while Rostelecom, the country’s largest digital service provider, told state news agency TASS that the outage was not related to its networks.

Roskomnadzor told state news agency RIA Novosti on Tuesday that access to the internet had been “restored” about an hour after the initial outage reports.

Russian IT experts told news outlet E1.ru that the outage might have been caused by a failed update to a system used by Roskomnadzor to block access to websites within Russia, which affected all internet providers.