We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Is it Blocked? The Ultimate List of Blocked Websites in Russia

Kristina Perunicic Updated on 4th March 2025 Former Managing Editor
2025 Update: Russia has now limited access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Google News. It's also difficult to find reliable payment methods since Visa and MasterCard have suspended their operations there. If you're planning on getting a VPN, note that you also can't pay with QIWI. But ExpressVPN accepts crypto payments, UnionPay, YooMoney (Yandex), and WebMoney.

Since the 2012 Moscow riots, Russia has intensified its efforts to censor the internet for residents. Russia initially enacted a law aimed at protecting residents from harmful content on the internet and also giving the government the power to take sites down when they are in breach of this law or when they promote politically sensitive content. As a result, many web services and apps have fallen victim including popular messaging app Telegram.

The terms of this censorship law require web services to store all Russian data in Russia and also comply with the country’s data retention laws which may include providing backdoor access for their spy agencies. This is very unfavorable for web services who vigorously promote freedom and privacy on the internet.

Whenever a breach of this controversial policy occurs, Russia immediately blocks such services or the affected content within the country. The block on Telegram’s services has recently led to other web tools and resources it uses including Google Cloud platform and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

VPNs can hypothetically let you bypass these government restrictions, but we don't condone this due to the legal nature of accessing banned or blocked sites. However, using a VPN to protect your connection and personal data in Russia is not illegal. Here’s an up-to-date list of the most reliable VPNs available on the market with numerous servers outside Russia.

Important! VPNs are legal in Russia, but accessing banned websites with a VPN or any other method is not. The team and I advise you to stay informed and up to date with the laws in the country before you try using a VPN and/or accessing specific websites in order to avoid legal trouble.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

How can a VPN help access blocked websites

Once a website has been found to be in violation of Russia’s surveillance law, ISPs in the country are mandated to block access to such sites. When this happens, it becomes nearly impossible to visit such sites from within the country. Russian web users can however bypass these restrictions by using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN establishes a secure and confidential connection, enabling users to access the internet while safeguarding network security and privacy. It serves as the simplest method to bypass blocked sites in Russia by encrypting the user's internet traffic from any device and routing it through external servers located beyond the borders of Russia. VPNs effectively conceal users' original IP addresses and locations, ensuring anonymity when accessing restricted websites.

How to use a VPN in Russia

VPNs are typically offered as dedicated apps that help to encrypt your internet traffic and mask your location. To use one, you’ll need to subscribe to a plan that best suits your needs. You need to ensure that your chosen VPN service provider has servers located in other countries. Although there are free VPN providers available, you should be willing to spend a few dollars for a reliable one.

Furthermore, you should subscribe to a VPN before travelling to Russia to ensure that it works effectively. Users who failed to subscribe before travelling have in the past struggled to activate a plan from within Russia.

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Rank
Provider
Our Score
Discount
Visit Website
1
medal
9.9 /10
9.9 Our Score
Save 61%!
2
9.7 /10
9.7 Our Score
Save 83%!
3
9.5 /10
9.5 Our Score
Save 82%!
Privacy Alert!

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

Your IP Address:

13.59.57.244

Your Location:

US, undefined, undefined

Your Internet Provider:

The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.

VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 61% off. Editor's Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Visit ExpressVPN

We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: Holiday.com, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

Kristina Perunicic is a former editor for vpnMentor. She’s a cybersecurity expert with an interest in VPNs and their importance in the digital privacy landscape.

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