In recent years, the digital landscape in Russia has undergone a seismic shift, characterized by a tightening digital iron curtain. As of late 2025, the Russian government, through its telecommunications regulator Roskomnadzor, has blocked access to numerous Western social media platforms and communication tools, including Snapchat and FaceTime. Among the most significant blocks for the gaming and tech communities is Discord.
As Discord owns a great number of Russian users, the restriction makes it inaccessible for some gamers, developers, and educational groups without circumvention tools. Don’t worry, this article explores the details of the ban, the legal context, and how users can reclaim access using a reliable tool like BearVPN.
Is Discord Banned In Russia?
Yes, Discord is currently banned in Russia. The official blockage was implemented in October 2024, marking a significant escalation in Russia’s control over online communication.
The Timeline and Reason for Discord Ban
The Discord ban in Russia didn’t happen overnight. For months leading up to the block, the Russian state media regulator, Roskomnadzor, had been building a bureaucratic case against the San Francisco-based platform. The regulator issued multiple rulings requiring Discord to delete content it deemed illegal.
According to official statements, the ban was enforced because Discord violated Russian legislation aimed at preventing the use of messaging for terrorist and extremist purposes. Specifically, Roskomnadzor claimed that Discord failed to comply with an order to remove nearly 1,000 items of content that the government classified as illegal. These items reportedly included materials related to drug distribution, child sexual abuse material, and calls for extremism.
Escalation and Fines of Discord Ban
Before the total blackout, Discord was fined approximately 6 million rubles by a Moscow court for failing to remove this prohibited information. The platform was also accused of ignoring “Know Your Customer” (KYC) laws that require messengers to verify the identity of their users – a measure Russia enforces to de-anonymize internet users.
The Impact of Discord Ban on Russian Users
When the block was implemented, its impact was immediate and widespread. That’s because Discord was not just a chat app for gamers; it was also a critical infrastructure for game developers, educational groups, and military operations.
| Group | Impact |
| Game Developers | Many studios used Discord for internal communication and community management. |
| Education | Tutors and study groups utilized its screen-sharing and voice capabilities. |
| Military Operations | BBC reports showed that even Russian military bloggers and drone operators utilized Discord for coordination due to the lack of reliable encrypted alternatives on the front lines, leading to a backlash from pro-war communities when the app went dark. |
Despite the outcry, the Kremlin has maintained the ban, pushing users toward domestic alternatives like VKontakte or the state-developed messenger, though none offer the identical feature set of Discord.
How to Access Discord in Russia with a VPN
Since the ban is enforced at the ISP (Internet Service Provider) level, the most effective way to regain access to Discord is by using a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a server in a different country, thus effectively masking your location and bypassing the geo blocks imposed by Roskomnadzor. One of the most recommended VPNs for Discord is BearVPN.
Why Choose BearVPN?
As a newly developed VPN, BearVPN stands out for users in high-censorship regions like Russia and Turkey. It supports use on all device platforms, including Android, iOS, Windows, and Mac. Moreover, BearVPN’s clear interface makes it handy for all users. With just one click, you can easily change your IP and bypass the Discord ban in Russia. Here are the benefits of choosing BearVPN:
- No-Logs Policy: Ensuring that your browsing history is not recorded is crucial in a restrictive legal environment.
- Strong Encryption: It uses advanced encryption standards (AES-256) to ensure that your data remains unreadable to ISPs and government surveillance tools.
- Obfuscation Protocols: Russia actively uses Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) to identify and block VPN traffic. BearVPN utilizes obfuscation technology to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS web traffic, helping it slip past these digital blockades.
- Unlimited Data: You can enjoy unrestricted bandwidth in unblocking various social media platforms.
Download BearVPN now and restore access to Discord in Russia.
Step-by-Step Guide to Accessing Discord with BearVPN
Step 1: Install the BearVPN app on a supported device and open it.
Step 2: Before connecting, go to the settings menu. Ensure the Kill Switch is active.
Note: This feature cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your real IP address from leaking.
Step 3: Choose a server location outside of Russia where Discord is legal and then connect to it.
Step 4: Install the Discord app on your device and chat with your friends as normal.
Troubleshooting Tips:
- If Discord doesn’t load, try clearing your browser cache or the Discord app cache.
- Switch to a different server protocol within the BearVPN app if the connection fails.
Is It Safe to Use Discord with VPN in Russia?
The safety and legality of using Discord with a VPN in Russia depend on your purposes. It is generally considered safe for the average user to access Discord via a VPN like BearVPN for gaming and private chats, provided they exercise common sense regarding political speech.
Legal Status of VPN Usage
As of late 2025, using a VPN in Russia is not a criminal offense for individual users. No law explicitly penalizes a citizen for simply having a VPN installed or using it to access blocked content for personal use. The liability generally falls on the VPN providers and website operators.
Apps or Social Platforms That Are Banned in Russia
As mentioned above, Russia has systematically blocked foreign platforms to create a sovereign internet ecosystem. Below is a list of major platforms that have been banned or restricted, along with the timing of these bans.
| App / Platform | Date of Ban/Restriction | Reason for Ban |
| November 2016 | Failure to store personal data of Russian users on servers within Russia. | |
| March 4, 2022 | Discrimination against Russian media outlets, which was labeled as extremist. | |
| Twitter (X) | March 4, 2022 | Refusal to remove content regarding the special military operation in Ukraine. |
| March 14, 2022 | Allowing calls for violence against Russian soldiers, the parent company of Meta, was labeled an extremist. | |
| Discord | October 8, 2024 | Violation of anti-terrorist laws; failure to remove 1,000+ illegal items. |
| Signal | August 2024 | Violation of Russian legislation on preventing terrorism; refusal to decrypt data. |
| Viber | 2024 | Non-compliance with data localization and content removal laws. |
| Snapchat | October 2025 | Accusations of facilitating terrorism-related activities and the drug trade. |
| FaceTime | December 4, 2025 | New restrictions citing the platform’s use in coordinating illegal activities. |
Note: Dates for 2025 reflect the most recent crackdown wave continuing into the current year.
FAQs About Discord Ban in Russia
1. Can you access Discord in Russia?
Yes, but not directly. Discord is blocked by all major Russian ISPs. You can only access it by using a reliable VPN or proxy service to mask your location.
2. Why was Discord banned from Russia?
Roskomnadzor banned Discord for failing to remove prohibited content related to extremism, drugs, and CSAM, and for ignoring fines and complying with strict Russian internet laws.
3. What countries is Discord banned in?
Aside from Russia, Discord is banned or heavily restricted in China, Iran, North Korea, Oman, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
4. Will Discord ban you for using a VPN?
Generally, no. Discord does not ban users solely for using VPNs. However, if a VPN IP is flagged for abuse, you might face temporary connectivity issues. If this is the case, simply switching to another VPN server will solve this problem.
Conclusion
The banning of Discord in Russia in October 2024 stands for a major change to the country’s digital freedom. It isolates the gamers and communities from the global network. While the Russian government cites safety and anti-terrorism laws, the block effectively forces users into a digital grey zone.
Fortunately, some powerful tools like BearVPN provide a reliable workaround, allowing Russians to bypass the digital restrictions and maintain their connections without concerns. Most importantly, you should always use a VPN to access Discord in Russia with a positive attitude and for private communications.
