Russia intensifies VPN service blocks following elections

Russian authorities have intensified efforts to block Virtual Private Network (VPN) services following recent legislative elections. At least ten major VPN providers have reported significant service disruptions, connection failures, and total disconnections.

Reports indicate that the regulatory agency Roskomnadzor has targeted specific IP addresses and foreign servers used by platforms such as Amnezia, Fizz, Mayak, Dyadya Vanya, Happ, and Blanc. Some providers noted that the wave of restrictions began shortly after the elections, forcing them to replace multiple servers in a matter of days to maintain connectivity.

Experts suggest that the relative stability of VPN services during the summer may have been a technical pause, allowing authorities to collect data on network traffic and masking methods. This data is allegedly being used to refine new tactics for more effective censorship and service degradation.