Trouble hits Russian forces as Google disables traffic maps in Ukraine

There seems to be trouble in the camp of Russian forces as the world’s most popular mapping technology, Google Maps, has disabled traffic maps in Ukraine.

This followed the invasion of the country by Russian troops.

With the development, the features will now remain on for local turn-by-turn navigation for drivers, while broader global access is disabled.

The popular mapping technology has served a surprise role in the invasion of Ukraine since the outset. One research facility in California was able to spot the Russian approach toward the Ukrainian border hours before the “special military operation” was officially declared, using a combination of Maps traffic data and satellite imaging to spot traffic pileups.

“In the old days, we would have relied on a reporter to show us what was happening on the ground,” researcher Jeffrey Lewis told The Washington Post. “And today, you can open Google Maps and see people fleeing Kyiv.”

“Let’s help them get straight to hell,” it wrote on social media on Saturday. “Ukravtodor calls on all road organizations, territorial communities, local governments to immediately begin dismantling nearby road signs.”