Google stands accused of pursuing a criminal policy and ‘a real persecution of Russians.’

The Russian-backed separatists currently occupying Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine have blocked access to Google’s search engine.

As The Guardian reports, Denis Pushilin, leader of the puppet state Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR), posted a message on his Telegram channel confirming the block. He claims it was done due to, “The inhuman propaganda of Ukraine and the west has long crossed all boundaries. There is a real persecution of Russians, the imposition of lies and disinformation.” He also claims Google “openly, on the orders of its curators from the US government, promotes terrorism and violence against all Russians, and especially the population of Donbas.”

Pushilin goes on to say that access to the search engine will be granted in the region again, “If Google stops pursuing its criminal policy and returns to the mainstream of law, morality and common sense, there will be no obstacles for its work.”

Google has yet to comment, but the block follows Russia issuing Google with a $370 million fine for spreading misleading information about the so-called special military operation in Ukraine. It’s a fine Google would be unable to pay even if the company wanted to due to sanctions and the Russian government having already seized its bank account in the country leading to Google filing for bankruptcy.

The DPR and neighboring puppet state the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) have already banned Facebook and Instagram, so losing access to Google Search probably comes as no suprise to anyone living in the region or to Google itself.