Russia is preparing a massive expansion of its internet censorship infrastructure, with the country’s communications regulator reportedly aiming to block 92% of VPN services by 2030 as the Kremlin tightens control over online access and digital privacy.
According to documents uncovered by independent journalist Maria Kolomychenko, Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal executive agency responsible for monitoring, controlling, and censoring Russian mass media, has already secured long-term federal funding for the initiative. The Russian government plans to allocate roughly 20 billion rubles annually beginning in 2026 to strengthen VPN blocking systems and further develop RuNet, Russia’s state-controlled “sovereign internet.”
The plan marks one of the most aggressive internet restriction efforts attempted by a major country in recent years. Russian authorities have spent the past several years gradually increasing pressure on VPN providers, app stores, messaging platforms, and independent media outlets as the government expands censorship following the invasion of Ukraine.
VPNs remain one of the primary tools Russians use to bypass blocks on foreign social media platforms, independent news sources, encrypted messaging services, and websites restricted by the state. Demand for VPN services surged after Russia banned or restricted platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and later Telegram.
Roskomnadzor has already forced hundreds of VPN applications out of Russian app stores, including major providers such as ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. Apple and Google have faced repeated pressure from Russian authorities to remove circumvention tools and independent media applications from local storefronts.
The Kremlin’s crackdown increasingly extends beyond simple app blocking. Researchers and digital rights groups say Russian authorities are now building permanent technical systems capable of identifying, filtering, and throttling VPN traffic at the network level using deep packet inspection technology.
Recent reports suggest Russian telecom providers are also being pushed to actively detect VPN use among customers. In some cases, popular Russian apps and services allegedly monitor whether users have VPN software enabled and may restrict functionality if circumvention tools are detected.
The growing restrictions have sparked concerns among privacy advocates and digital rights organizations, which warn that Russia is moving toward a heavily isolated and state-monitored internet environment often described as a “digital iron curtain.”
Critics argue the crackdown is not only about censorship but also about surveillance and information control. VPNs allow users to bypass state filtering systems and conceal browsing activity from internet providers and authorities. Blocking them could significantly reduce anonymous access to foreign news, encrypted communications, and independent reporting inside Russia.
The restrictions are already affecting businesses and ordinary internet users. Reuters recently reported that small businesses across Russia have experienced operational problems as messaging apps, internet services, and VPN access become increasingly unstable under new controls.
Despite the aggressive targets, experts remain skeptical about whether Russia can fully eliminate VPN usage. Many providers have begun deploying stealth and obfuscation technologies specifically designed to bypass Russian filtering systems. Several VPN services tailored for Russian users continue adapting to new censorship measures faster than authorities can block them.
Still, the scale of the planned investment suggests Russia intends to make unrestricted internet access significantly harder over the next several years. If implemented successfully, the initiative could dramatically reshape how millions of Russians access information online.