Rapid Growth in VPN Blocking
Russia's internet regulator Roskomnadzor has blocked 469 VPN services by the end of February 2026, according to media reports. This represents a dramatic increase from 258 services blocked in October 2025 and just 167 in October 2023.
New Protocols Under Attack
Since December 2025, the regulator has expanded its efforts to block advanced VPN protocols including SOCKS5, VLESS, and L2TP. These protocols are commonly used by modern VPN services to evade detection by deep packet inspection (DPI) systems.
Massive Demand Growth
Despite the crackdown, VPN demand in Russia has surged. The top-5 VPN services saw their active user bases expand from 247,000 to over 6 million users by Q3 2025 — a more than 20-fold increase. Overall VPN demand grew 36% in 2025.
AI-Powered Detection Coming
Roskomnadzor plans to invest 2.3 billion rubles in an AI-based system that detects VPN traffic through content analysis rather than IP addresses alone. The system is expected to be operational by the end of 2026, potentially making it harder for users to circumvent blocks.
White List System
Organizations requiring VPN access for legitimate purposes can apply for white list inclusion. As of April 2025, 75,000 IP addresses using foreign encryption protocols have been whitelisted — a sixfold increase since 2023, reflecting the growing tension between security requirements and regulatory restrictions.
Why Advanced VPN Technology Matters
As Russia deploys increasingly sophisticated blocking methods, users need VPN services that employ cutting-edge anti-censorship technologies. Protocols designed to disguise VPN traffic as regular HTTPS connections become essential for maintaining reliable access to the global internet.