# Russian digital censorship and communication restrictions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/russian-digital-censorship-and-communication-restrictions
> Updated: 2026-08-28T09:40:00.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Russia has implemented an escalating series of digital restrictions targeting communication platforms and circumvention tools. The crackdown began in August 2025 with limitations on voice and video calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, citing concerns regarding scams and criminal recruitment. This was followed by the blocking of FaceTime in December 2025 and a mandate for the pre-installation of the state messenger, MAX, on all mobile devices sold in the country.

By early 2026, the situation intensified as WhatsApp was blocked via domain removal and Telegram faced near-total nationwide throttling. In August 2026, the communications regulator Roskomnadzor expanded its reach by targeting the IP addresses and subnets of major hosting providers. This action caused widespread outages for over 20 popular VPN services, including VPN Generator, VPN Legend, and GaMMa VPN. Anti-corruption activist Leonid Volkov characterized this specific move as “the largest in history.”

## Timeline

### 2026-08-28: Russia blocks WhatsApp and throttles Telegram

Russia's regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked WhatsApp and throttled Telegram, following a series of restrictions on digital communication services including FaceTime.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-blocks-whatsapp-and-throttles-telegram

### 2026-08-05: Russia blocks dozens of VPN providers in sweeping internet crackdown

Russia’s regulator Roskomnadzor blocked IP ranges of major hosts, knocking out over 20 VPN services on Aug 4‑5 2026, in what officials call the largest VPN blackout to date.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/russia-blocks-dozens-of-vpn-providers-in-sweeping-internet-crackdown

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Cite as: Russian digital censorship and communication restrictions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/russian-digital-censorship-and-communication-restrictions