Blocked Websites in Russia (2026): The Complete Access & Safety Guide

In late 2025, the “Iron Curtain” is no longer just a metaphor—it is a sophisticated digital firewall. The days when a simple free VPN could bypass any restriction are over. Today, the Russian government uses TSPU (Technical Means for Countering Threats) to not just block IP addresses, but to inspect and throttle the very protocols that keep the internet open.

For expats, travelers, and digital nomads in Russia, the question isn’t just “What websites are blocked in Russia?” but “is it safe to bypass it?”

This guide breaks down the current censorship landscape, blocked websites in Russia, the new 2026 laws regarding VPNs, and the technical reality of staying connected.

The Digital Landscape in 2026: Throttling vs. Blocking

If you are trying to load a website and it times out, it might not be technically “blocked”—it’s likely being “throttled.”

Why is my internet so slow? Understanding TSPU

Russia has moved away from clumsy total bans toward “invisible” degradation. TSPU devices are deep packet inspection (DPI) boxes installed at every major ISP (like Rostelecom, MTS, and Beeline). They allow Roskomnadzor (the federal censor) to:

• Identify traffic types: They can tell the difference between a YouTube video stream and a Zoom call.
• Throttle specific speeds: They can slow YouTube down to 128kbps—making it unusable—without technically “blocking” the domain. This avoids the public outcry of a total ban while forcing users to switch to domestic alternatives like VK Video.
• Block VPN protocols: Instead of blocking a VPN server’s IP address, they now block the language the VPN speaks (like OpenVPN or WireGuard), causing your connection to hang indefinitely.

What is a “Whitelist” Shutdown?

In late 2025, during periods of unrest or “security drills,” users in specific regions (such as the south of Russia) may experience a “whitelist” mode. During these times, only approved Russian sites work (Gosuslugi, Yandex, Ozon, Sberbank). All foreign traffic including VPNs is completely severed.

Master List: Blocked Websites in Russia (2025)

Status as of December 22, 2025.

1. Social Media & Communication

The “Extremist” label is the most dangerous category. Platforms with this designation are not just blocked; interacting with them can carry legal risks.

2. Gaming & Entertainment

Gamers have been hit hard in late 2025, with the state targeting platforms popular with younger audiences.

• Roblox: BLOCKED (Dec 3, 2025). The most recent major ban. Roskomnadzor cited “child safety” and “LGBT propaganda” as the cause.
• YouTube: SEVERELY THROTTLED. Desktop speeds are near-zero. Mobile apps may work intermittently but are unreliable.
• Steam: PARTIAL RESTRICTIONS. The store works, but “Community” pages, user profiles, and workshop downloads are frequently disrupted or shadow-banned.

3. News & Information

• International: BBC, CNN, Deutsche Welle, Voice of America, Radio Liberty.
• Independent Russian: Meduza, Mediazona, Dozhd (TV Rain), The Moscow Times.
• Note: Links to these sites often trigger “warning” pages on Russian browsers like Yandex.

Is it Illegal to Bypass Blocks? The 2025 Legal Risk Matrix

The legal environment shifted drastically in September 2025. Here is the new reality:

1. The “Aggravating Circumstance” Law

Using a VPN is not a crime in itself. However, a new amendment to the Criminal Code states that using a VPN while committing another offense is an aggravating circumstance.

• Example: If you post a comment that the government dislikes, and you used a VPN to do it, your potential fine or sentence is automatically increased because you used “circumvention tools.”

2. Fines for “Searching” for Content

A new administrative article (passed July 2025) allows for fines of 3,000–5,000 RUB for “intentionally searching for extremist materials.”

• The Risk: Previously, you were punished for sharing (reposting). Now, if authorities inspect your device and find a search history explicitly looking for banned “extremist” content, you can be fined.

3. Can I use Instagram/Facebook?

• Personal Use: Currently tolerated. Viewing content is not prosecuted.
• Business Use: High Risk. Buying ads on Instagram/Facebook is considered “financing an extremist organization” (Meta) and is a serious criminal offense. Do not link your credit card to Meta services.

How to Access the Global Web Safely

If you need to access blocked services for work or family communication, standard VPNs often fail. Here is what is currently working in the Russian environment.

Recommended: BearVPN (Optimized for Russia)

While many Western VPNs are now blocked at the protocol level, BearVPN has become a popular choice in 2025 because it is specifically designed to counter Russian DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).

• Why it works: It features a dedicated “Stealth Mode” that uses advanced steganography to wrap your data. This makes your VPN traffic look like standard, non-encrypted HTTPS web traffic, allowing it to slip past TSPU filters.
• Kill Switch: Essential for 2026 legal safety, its kill switch ensures that if the connection drops, your “extremist” or blocked browsing is never exposed to your local ISP.

The 2025 “Pro-User” Setup (Step-by-Step)

Simply turning on a VPN is often not enough anymore. To bypass the most aggressive mobile network blocks, use this setup:

1. Enable Stealth Mode: Before connecting, go to settings and ensure Stealth/Obfuscation is toggled ON. Standard OpenVPN will fail within minutes on networks like MTS or Tele2.
2. The SIM-Off Trick: If you are trying to access the global version of apps like TikTok or Netflix, the app may use your SIM card’s country code to block you regardless of your VPN. In 2025, many users physically remove their Russian SIM or disable their eSIM, using only Wi-Fi with the VPN active to get a “clean” global connection.
3. Use Private/Stealth Protocols: If BearVPN is unavailable, look for tools that support VLESS or Trojan. These are currently the “last standing” protocols that TSPU struggles to identify.

Domestic Alternatives (The “Safe” Zone)

If you cannot bypass the blocks, these are the state-approved alternatives users are migrating to:

• YouTube alternatives: VK Video or RuTube (heavy censorship).
• WhatsApp alternatives: Telegram (still working, but monitor for changes) or VK Messenger.
• Instagram alternatives: Looky or Now (clones with smaller user bases).

Actionable Summary for Travelers

• Before you arrive: Download and configure VLESS or Amnezia based VPNs. You will likely not be able to download them once inside Russia.
• While browsing: Avoid “liking” or “reposting” political content on blocked platforms.
• If your internet cuts out: It is likely a TSPU test. Wait 15 minutes or switch between Wi-Fi and Mobile Data (LTE) to see if the filter is different.

Conclusion

As we move into 2026, the Russian internet has transitioned from a filtered web to a “Sovereign Network” designed for isolation. The shift from simple website blocking to protocol-level throttling means that staying connected now requires more than just a basic VPN—it requires an understanding of digital stealth.

While the state pushes domestic alternatives like MAX and RuTube, the legal risks for those seeking the global web have never been higher. By using optimized tools like BearVPN and staying informed on the latest “Extremist” designations, users can mitigate these risks. However, the ultimate trend is clear: the digital wall is getting taller, and the tools used to scale it must become smarter.

FAQ

1. Is it legal to visit “Extremist” websites like Instagram or Facebook? 

Technically, visiting these platforms for personal, non-commercial use is currently not prosecuted. However, financing them (by buying ads) or using them to post content that “discredits the army” is a serious criminal offense. Under the new 2025 laws, using a VPN to access these sites can also be considered an “aggravating circumstance” if you are charged with other administrative or criminal offenses.

2. Why do some sites work on my home Wi-Fi but not on my mobile data? 

This is a hallmark of the TSPU (Technical Means for Countering Threats) system. Censors often run “experiments” or more aggressive filtering on mobile networks (MTS, Tele2) before applying them to home fiber (Rostelecom). Mobile networks are also subject to “White List” shutdowns during security events, where only pre-approved government and state-media domains remain active.

3. Can I report a website to be blocked if I find illegal content? 

Yes. Any individual can submit a URL to the Roskomnadzor Unified Register via their official public portal. The agency typically reviews reports concerning drugs, suicide, child pornography, or “extremist” political content. Once a report is verified, the site owner is given three days to remove the content before a nationwide block is enacted.

4. Which educational and government sites are currently restricted? 

Beyond social media, many Western .gov and .europa.eu domains are blocked to prevent access to foreign diplomatic statements. Educational platforms like Coursera and EdX have faced partial blocks on specific modules deemed “politically sensitive,” and the Wayback Machine (Archive.org) is frequently restricted to prevent users from viewing deleted versions of Russian news articles.

5. Is Russia’s internet blocking unique compared to other countries? 

Russia’s 2025 model is a hybrid between China’s Great Firewall and Iran’s Filternet. While China focuses on a total gateway filter, Russia utilizes “decentralized” DPI boxes at every ISP. This allows for more surgical “throttling” (slowing a site down) rather than just “blocking,” making it harder for users to realize they are being censored in real-time.