Cyber Week Sale! 50% Off All Access

You Can Now Use a Free Website to Talk to Russians About Ukraine The site uses a database that contains around 20 million cellphone numbers and 140 million email addresses.

By Chloe Arrojado Edited by Jessica Thomas

Farknot_Architect | Getty Images

As people and platforms speak out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Russian government has implemented several censorship measures for those residing within Russia. Earlier this month, a group of Polish programmers called Squad303 decided to circumvent this problem by releasing 1920.in, a website that allows individuals to contact those residing in Russia.

"A nation that is to pay a huge price because of the shameful decision of the dictator Putin to attack an independent Ukraine by armed forces. The joint action of all the states of the free world, as a response to Russia's aggression, will lead to the collapse of the entire country," the website states on its homepage. "However, nearly 150 million Russians do not know the truth about the causes or course of the war in Ukraine. It is fed with the lies of the Kremlin propaganda. There is no free media in Russia and the internet is censored."

Related: Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict Facebook and Instagram Loosen Some Restrictions on Hate Speech

As first reported by the Wall Street Journal, 1920.in randomly generates a number or email address for users from a database that contains approximately 20 million cellphone numbers and nearly 140 million email addresses. Anyone in the world can attempt to contact the phone number or email address, with the option of sending a pre-drafted message in Russian that tells people their media is censored.

"Our aim was to break through Putin's digital wall of censorship and make sure that Russian people are not totally cut off from the world and the reality of what Russia is doing in Ukraine," a spokesman for Squad303 told the Wall Street Journal.

Russia's social media crackdown has cut off many opportunities for people in the country to get information from beyond its borders. Russian regulators have restricted platforms like Twitter, Instagram and Facebook in the country, and is even considering labeling Facebook an "extremist organization".

Related: What You Can Do to Help Ukraine: A List of Top-Rated Relief Organizations and Additional Resources

Chloe Arrojado

Entrepreneur Staff

Editorial Assistant

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

'I Just Hustled': She Earned More Than $300,000 Wrapping Gifts Last Year — and It All Started With a Side Hustle

When Michelle Hensley lost her husband to cancer, she needed to figure out how to earn an income for her family.

Thought Leaders

Death By a Million Cuts: The Small Stuff is More Disruptive Than You Think

No one succeeds by sweating the small stuff. How to ruthlessly edit what earns your attention.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Business News

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Says 'You'll Be Surprised' By How Google Search Changes Next Year

AI has already changed the look of search, but Google's CEO says there are more changes to come.