How to Unblock Social Media and Access News in Russia in 2024

Key Takeaways: How to Use Social Media in Russia
  1. Download a VPN before traveling to Russia.
  2. Connect to a VPN server outside Russia.
  3. Access your preferred websites and social media.

Facts & Expert Analysis About Unblocking Social Media in Russia:

  • Russia has created its own versions of popular social media sites: As Russia blocks social media sites, it also promotes Russian versions of those sites. For example, VK and Moi Mir are similar to Facebook, RUTUBE is just like YouTube, and TenChat mimics LinkedIn.
  • More blockades in the offing: WhatsApp and YouTube work in Russia. However, Russia has a history of blocking any site that allows content vilifying the Kremlin, so they could also be targeted by future blockades. According to Reporters Without Borders, Russia has already blocked more than 1.7 million URLs.1
  • Banning VPNs: Knowing that VPNs can unblock websites, the Russian government passed a law banning the use of VPNs in 2017.2 By the end of 2021, Russia had outright banned many VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN. We recommend downloading a VPN before heading to Russia since most VPN websites don’t work there.

You’ll likely draw a blank if you attempt to access many popular social media and news sites in Russia, including BBC, DW-TV, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Others, like TikTok, are so heavily restricted that they’re unusable. Here at Cloudwards, we believe in internet freedom, and that’s why we’ll show you how to unblock social media in Russia using the best VPNs.

The Russian government, commonly referred to as the Kremlin, has clamped down on millions of websites since the passage of an internet blacklist law back in 2012. 10 The internet restrictions have gotten increasingly worse since, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin banned news sites to control reports on the war and outrage on social media.

Thankfully, a virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent solution since it can change your virtual location and access blocked sites. Russia frowns on VPN use, so it’s best to set one up before you travel there. Our VPN experts tested over 50 VPNs to unveil the top VPNs for Russia. But first, let’s highlight the various social media platforms that Russia has banned.

  • 03/21/2022

    Updated this article to reflect that Twitter implemented a Tor Onion version in early March to help combat restrictions.

  • 11/14/2023

    Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.

  • 05/23/2024 Facts checked

    Restructured for easier reading and added more useful sections. 

What Social Media Is Banned in Russia?

The following popular social media sites don’t work in Russia:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • WeChat
  • LinkedIn

Other websites are heavily censored or restricted. For instance, you can access TikTok in Russia but can’t upload content, and you can’t make purchases on Discord.3 On the other hand, Snapchat, Reddit, WhatsApp, Pinterest, YouTube and Telegram seem to work fine in Russia for now.

Is Facebook Banned in Russia?

Roskomnadzor, the Russian media monitor, banned Facebook in March 2022. This move was based on a Russian court ruling that declared Meta — Facebook’s parent company — guilty of discriminating against Kremlin-backed media.4 However, critics believe that the Russian government only wanted to control the narrative regarding the Russo-Ukrainian War.

Is Instagram Banned in Russia?

Russia banned Instagram in March 2022 along with Facebook. As part of a wider crackdown on foreign social media platforms and news outlets, a court ruling accused Meta of allowing “extremist” posts inciting violence against Russian soldiers. Since the ruling, Instagram VPNs have been necessary to unblock Instagram in Russia.

Is TikTok Banned in Russia?

TikTok isn’t banned in Russia, but it is heavily restricted. In response to Russia’s crackdown on social media, TikTok has stopped Russian IPs from uploading new content or livestreaming. In addition, Russian users can’t see content from non-Russian TikTok accounts. The only content available on Russian TikTok is old content made by Russian TikTokers.5

Is YouTube Banned in Russia?

YouTube works normally in Russia. Although the Kremlin has banned many other social media platforms, it left YouTube alone, mainly because of its popularity in the country. Maksut Shadayev, the Russian minister overseeing digital communications, made the following statement in 2022:

“We do not plan to ban YouTube. First of all, when we restrict something, we must clearly understand that our users do not suffer. A ban is an extreme move that can be only possible, to my understanding, when we have a competitive alternative”.6

Experts believe that the Russian authorities are afraid of the massive backlash that would accompany a YouTube ban since it’s extremely popular with Russians. Plus, RUTUBE — the potential “competitive alternative” — has yet to become as popular with Russians as YouTube. However, with Russia’s censorship history, YouTube could be in the line of fire in the future.

“Your Video Is Blocked and Can’t Be Viewed in Russia”

If you try watching certain YouTube videos in Russia, you might get a notification that the video is blocked and unavailable. This could be due to a variety of reasons. Chances are, YouTube itself might have blocked the video; in 2022, it blocked several channels associated with Russian state-funded media.9

The video owner might also have chosen to make the video unavailable to people in Russia. In this case, the best workaround is to use a VPN to change your virtual location. For example, you can connect to a VPN server in Europe or America to access blocked content in Russia.

Which Other Websites Are Blocked in Russia?

Russia has blocked hundreds of websites that it considers extremist, as well as those that expose Russians to narratives that differ from the Kremlin’s. Below are various kinds of websites that the Russian government has banned or severely restricted.7

  • Websites that promote drug abuse
  • Websites with illegal pornographic content
  • Websites that teach suicide methods
  • Social media: Twitter, Line, WeChat, LinkedIn, Signal and Reddit
  • Streaming services: Netflix, Dailymotion and Twitch
  • News websites: BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
  • Online payments and cryptocurrency: PayPal, Cointelegraph, Binance and Visa
  • Religious websites: the Jehovah’s Witnesses official website
  • Human rights websites: Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International
  • Other services: StartMail, Zello, Canva, SoundCloud and Pixabay

How to Use a VPN Service to Unblock Social Media & World News Websites in Russia

A VPN provider can change your virtual location. This lets you connect to the internet as though you were in another country, allowing you to access websites that are blocked in Russia. Follow the steps below to unblock any website while in Russia. We’re using ExpressVPN as our example since it’s the best VPN for Russia.

It’s important to note that most VPN websites are themselves blocked in Russia, so you need to either find a download site that isn’t yet blocked by the government or take these steps before going to Russia.

  1. Download and Install a VPN

    Choose a VPN service and visit its website to purchase a subscription. Download and install the VPN client on your device. Be aware that many VPN sites are blocked in Russia, so you should download at least one VPN before entering the country. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee that may cover the length of your trip.

    download expressvpn
  2. Connect to a Server

    Open the VPN app and use the server list to connect to a server outside Russia. The server you choose determines the location you’ll use to get online. For example, connect to a U.S. server to access Netflix U.S. in Russia.

    connect to expressvpn
  3. Access Your Preferred Website

    Open the blocked website. You should now be able to access it without any hindrance.

    bbc homepage

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Why You Need a VPN in Russia for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and More

You need a VPN in Russia because the Kremlin has blocked many popular social media and news websites. A VPN can change your IP address to a different country, allowing you to access the internet freely even while you’re in Russia. Let’s dig further into why a VPN is a must-have in Russia.

Many Websites Don’t Work in Russia

Many websites won’t open in Russia, including social media and news sites. The country has a long history of clamping down on free speech and websites that host it, but the censorship intensified after Vladimir Putin became president again in 2012.

After Putin’s election, thousands of Russians participated in massive protest rallies against the election results. The Kremlin responded by implementing measures and laws to silence and punish dissenters. That has since become the modus operandi of the Russian government.

In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in worldwide outrage. News sites and social media platforms enabled others to criticize the invasion and present narratives that differed from the Kremlin’s. The Russian government didn’t take kindly to the criticism, cracking down on many websites that disagreed with the military offensive and courted sympathy for Ukraine.

A study by OONI revealed that the Russian government blocked more than 247,492 URLs in 2022 alone. However, Russians can still access such websites with a VPN.

The Russian Government May Track Your Online Activities

The Russian government consistently monitors internet traffic to track Russians’ online behavior. If you use the internet in a way that isn’t approved by the government, you could be fined or imprisoned. In 2022, the country amended its criminal code to include penalties for spreading “fake” news about the Russo-Ukrainian War and discrediting the Russian army8.

You can be fined up to 1.5 million rubles if you post something that tarnishes the reputation of the Russian Federation army or calls on others to obstruct it. You could also be jailed for 15 years if you spread what the RF considers to be fake news about the war. A VPN turns your internet traffic into gibberish so the Kremlin can’t understand it.5

The Best VPNs for Russia to Unblock News & Social Media

Since 2021, Russia has blocked multiple VPNs, making it difficult to find VPN providers that work in the country. For Russia, you need a VPN with high-level encryption (AES) that unblocks websites, offers obfuscation and doesn’t store sensitive information.

Our VPN experts have tested over 50 VPNs for Russia, and we selected the three that work best. We’ll start with ExpressVPN, our top pick. It’s worth noting that all the options below offer solid encryption and stick to a strict no-logs policy.

1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Russia

expressvpn russia homepage
ExpressVPN offers obfuscation for all its servers in 105 countries,
allowing you to access the internet in Russia. 

Pros:

  • Excellent unblocking ability
  • Obfuscation on all servers
  • Fast speeds

Cons:

  • No servers in Russia

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing the internet in Russia, thanks to its trove of security features. First, it offers built-in obfuscation on all its servers, hiding your VPN use from any firewalls that Putin’s government might institute. ExpressVPN’s AES encryption is paired with RAM-only servers that regularly delete all saved activity.

In our tests, ExpressVPN unblocked BBC, DW-TV, Netflix and many other restricted sites in Russia. You can choose from servers in 105 countries, including popular locations like the U.S. and Canada, and countries near Russia like Finland and Ukraine.

Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more about the VPN service, or try it yourself by using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. NordVPN — Fastest VPN for Russia

nordvpn homepage
NordVPN is a secure and fast VPN for unblocking websites in Russia.

Pros:

  • Double VPN servers
  • Obfuscated servers
  • Fast speeds

Cons:

  • No servers in Russia

NordVPN is an excellent option for browsing in Russia, especially if you find ExpressVPN to be too expensive. It can unblock most websites, from the news to social media platforms. NordVPN is the fastest VPN according to our tests, making it a great pick if you intend to stream HD or 4K videos, livestream content or watch live sports.

We recommend NordVPN for journalists and activists working in Russia due to its many advanced privacy features. For example, it has a double VPN feature, which sends your traffic through two VPN servers — adding an extra layer of encryption. It also offers Threat Protection, which blocks ads, malware and trackers. 

Learn more about NordVPN’s features and performance in our NordVPN review. Alternatively, you can test it out using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Basic
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Complete
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes

3. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for Russia

Surfshark homepage 2023
Surfshark is an affordable VPN that you can use in Russia.

Pros:

  • Unlimited device connections
  • Anti-surveillance feature
  • Anti-censorship mode
  • Affordable plans

Cons:

  • No servers in Russia

Choose Surfshark if you need a wallet-friendly VPN provider for Russia. Its one-year and two-year plans are among the most affordable on the VPN market. While Surfshark is cheap, it doesn’t skimp on features. It offers a “camouflage” mode (obfuscation), which makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, so it’s hard for Russian authorities to block your connection.

Surfshark also offers the NoBorders mode, which can help you bypass geoblocking and censorship by the Russian government. The NoBorders mode automatically transfers your connection to servers that can outwit network restrictions. Surfshark also lets you use one subscription for unlimited devices.

Explore more details about Surfshark in our Surfshark review. You can also take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself

Surfshark Starter
  • Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $185.40 for one year, $370.80 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
  • Yes
Surfshark One
  • Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $191.40 for one year, $380.80 for two years.
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited
Surfshark One+
  • Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
  • Unlimited GB
  • Unlimited

Can You Use a Free VPN for Russia? 

You can use a free VPN for Russia, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs are often unsafe. Some are malware carriers, while others might log and sell your data. In addition, some free VPNs don’t work at all; even if they do, they might be slow or unable to unblock websites.

Almost all free VPNs limit your servers, data and bandwidth. However, some free VPN providers are diamonds in the rough. We’ll highlight the best option below. 

The Best Free VPN for Russia: Proton VPN

If you need to use a free VPN for Russia, we recommend Proton VPN. It’s the best free VPN service because it offers unlimited data. The free plan includes servers in five countries that can unblock Netflix, along with many other streaming services and news sites. However, you might experience slow speeds on the free plan during peak hours.

Final Thoughts

Russia has blocked multiple social media and news sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, BBC and DW-TV. Most of these restrictions were implemented to control the narrative about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Fortunately, you can use a VPN to bypass internet censorship if you’re in Russia.

ExpressVPN is the best choice because it has a large network of obfuscated servers that can hide your VPN use from Roskomnadzor. It’s also secure and has fast speeds. NordVPN is a faster alternative with useful security features like double VPN servers. If you’re on a shoestring budget, opt for Surfshark.

Have you ever tried accessing the internet in Russia? Which VPNs did you use, and did you face any obstacles? Do you have any questions or comments about the information provided in this article? Share your opinion and experiences with us in the comments section below.

FAQ: Unblock Social Media in Russia

  • Many social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok, have been blocked or severely restricted in Russia. However, YouTube and Telegram still work.

  • Use a virtual private network (VPN) to access social media in Russia. Simply connect to a VPN server outside Russia, and you should be able to access the internet as though you were in that country.

  • To unblock Instagram in Russia, connect to a VPN server in another country. For instance, if you connect to a U.S. server, you can enjoy Instagram like anyone in the U.S.

  • Instagram doesn’t work in Russia. The Russian government banned the service in 2022 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, you can access Instagram in Russia using a VPN.

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Sources:

  1. Reporters Without Borders – Russia Blocks Rsf Site Ahead Of World Press Freedom Index Release But Mirror Site Still Accessible
  2. BBC – Explainer: What is Russia’s new VPN law all about?
  3. Discord – Update on Premium Services in Russia 
  4. The Guardian – Russia Bans Facebook and Instagram Under ‘Extremism’ Law 
  5. The Guardian – Tiktok Users In Russia Can See Only Old Russian-Made Content
  6. RFE/RF – Russia Will Not Ban YouTube, Minister Shadayev Says
  7. Ooni – How Internet Censorship Changed In Russia During The 1st Year Of Military Conflict In Ukraine
  8. The Moscow Times – Russia Duma Passes Law on ‘Fake News’
  9. Charter97 – YouTube Blocks About 40 Regional Russian Channels
  10. Freedom House – Russia FREEDOM ON THE NET 2023

The post How to Unblock Social Media and Access News in Russia in 2024 appeared first on Cloudwards.

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