Article Summary

The article describes how Russians are pulling large amounts of cash from banks, driven by internet outages that disrupt digital payments and new financial rules that increase government oversight, making people worried about privacy and stability. It uses strong examples—like record withdrawals and internet blackouts during holidays—to show how citizens are responding to these changes by turning to cash, while also highlighting government actions that may be fueling public distrust. The story frames this shift as a practical, even cautious, reaction to real disruptions and policy changes, but doesn't compare the situation to other countries or explain if the central bank's actions are out of the ordinary.