Russia tests cutting itself off from the rest of the internet, most VPNs fail to bypass restrictions

Dec 12, 2024

Russia tests internet isolation; most VPNs fail; split internet strategy.

Russia tests cutting itself off from the rest of the internet, most VPNs fail to bypass restrictions

: Russia is advancing its plans for a sovereign internet, recently testing its ability to block foreign sites in some regions, with most VPNs failing to bypass these restrictions. This test affected Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, with services like WhatsApp and YouTube becoming inaccessible. Despite some VPNs reportedly working, Russia continues cracking down on VPN usage, blocking 197 services and implementing laws against circumvention methods. Huge investments towards this strategy indicate a move towards the RuNet despite no official initiative for total disconnection announced previously.

Russia has advanced its long-term goal of creating its own version of the internet, known as the RuNet, by conducting a test that isolated certain regions, blocking access to foreign websites. This effort by the communications authority Roskomnadzor mostly succeeded, as most VPN services could not bypass these restrictions, setting a precedent akin to China's Great Firewall.

The test significantly impacted users in ethnic minority regions like Dagestan, Chechnya, and Ingushetia, causing disruptions to services like WhatsApp, Telegram, YouTube, and even some Russian applications like Yandex. Though some VPNs reportedly worked, Roskomsvoboda did not specify which, highlighting the growing digital rights challenges in Russia.

Russia's crackdown on VPNs includes blocking 197 services and removing many from the Apple App Store, supported by a law criminalizing providing methods to bypass internet restrictions. The Kremlin's investment of approximately $648 million into these efforts symbolizes an intent to promote domestic platforms over Western ones, indicating a push toward a self-contained digital environment.