MEP Krzysztof Brejza (PPE) has asked the European Commission whether it plans to ban Russian SIM cards across the EU and terminate roaming agreements with Russian providers, citing their use in guiding drones and missiles in Ukraine and enabling hybrid warfare activities near EU borders. The question, submitted on 22 April 2026, targets a specific vulnerability: Russian forces exploiting local cellular infrastructure and EU roaming services to coordinate strikes while bypassing Western sanctions on communications tracking.
Brejza's question contains three concrete demands: a Commission assessment of the threat, a comprehensive counter-strategy including an EU-wide ban on Russian SIM cards, and an explanation for why the EU has not taken reciprocal measures after Russia blocked network access for millions of EU SIM cards. The MEP frames the issue as a security gap that undermines EU sanctions and exposes member states to intelligence-gathering and military coordination by Russian operatives.
Policy orientation and expected follow-up
The question signals a push for stronger EU-level action on telecoms security, with Brejza advocating for a hardline approach that prioritises collective security over market openness. The Commission is expected to reply within approximately six weeks; its answer will indicate whether it views the threat as requiring regulatory intervention or prefers voluntary industry measures. A ban would impact EU roaming revenues and consumer convenience but could close a loophole used in hybrid warfare. The question also puts pressure on the Commission to justify inaction given Russia's prior blocking of EU SIM cards.
Stakeholder impacts
- EU security agencies: would gain a tool to disrupt Russian military coordination, but enforcement would require cooperation with national regulators.
- Russian telecom operators: would lose access to EU roaming markets, reducing their ability to support military operations abroad.
- EU mobile network operators: could face revenue loss from terminated roaming agreements and compliance costs for SIM card verification.
- EU consumers near eastern borders: would benefit from reduced risk of being used as human shields or intelligence vectors, but may experience roaming disruptions if reciprocal bans escalate.