Russia is set to intensify its crackdown on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), widely used by millions of Russians to circumvent government internet restrictions and censorship, announced the country’s digital minister. This move is part of what diplomats have described as Russia’s “great crackdown,” during which authorities have frequently blocked mobile internet access and disrupted major messaging services, while granting broad powers to sever mass communications.
Digital Minister Maksut Shadayev stated on the state-backed messenger MAX late Monday that the ministry aims to reduce VPN usage while trying to minimize disruption for users. He also confirmed that decisions have been made to limit access to several unspecified foreign platforms, though he did not provide further details.
Following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the government enacted some of the most stringent laws since the Soviet era, enforcing censorship and expanding the authority of the Federal Security Service, the main successor to the Soviet KGB. However, in recent months, the state has escalated its measures by blocking WhatsApp, slowing down Telegram, and repeatedly jamming mobile internet in Moscow and other cities and regions.
The Kremlin justifies these restrictions by accusing foreign platforms of non-compliance with Russian laws and citing the need to counter mass Ukrainian drone attacks as a reason for mobile internet limitations. By mid-January, over 400 VPNs had been blocked, marking a 70% increase compared to late last year, Kommersant newspaper figures.
Despite these efforts, the battle between authorities and VPN users continues. Each time a VPN is blocked, new ones emerge, with many young Russians reportedly switching VPNs daily to maintain access to unrestricted internet services.
