Test If a Website Is Blocked in Russia

Advertising Disclosure

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: 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.

Quick Link to Test Popular Sites

Test results for:

URL blocked

None of the servers allowed access to this URL, which probably means the website is blocked in Russia. If you like this tool, please share it with others!

Test results for:

URL Accessible

The URL is accessible from Russia. If you like this tool, please share it with others!

Test results for:

Error.

How to Access Any Site From Russia

Insider Tip: Not all VPNs work in Russia because their technology isn’t advanced enough to bypass the Kremlin’s bans. We recommend choosing a VPN that’s been tried and tested in Russia, so you know it’ll work there before you sign up.

1

Get a VPN. Our researchers recommend ExpressVPN since it has military-grade encryption and excellent security features. Be sure to set it up on all devices you plan to use in Russia before you get there. Once you’re in the country, it’s significantly more difficult to download a VPN.
2

Connect to an obfuscated server. Obfuscated servers hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. For example, ExpressVPN automatically uses obfuscation technology whenever it detects deep packet inspection on the network, which makes your VPN connection look like regular internet traffic. Astrill VPN has a similar feature.
3

Browse without restrictions! Once you connect to a server in a country of your choice, you’ll be able to access all of your favorite websites without issues.

How Does the Russia Censorship Test Work?

The Russia Censorship Test checks whether your favorite websites are blocked in Russia. To use it, simply copy the URL of the page you want to test and paste it into the box above. We’ll then send the URL to servers in several locations throughout Russia. The servers will attempt to access the URL and report the results almost instantly, in real time.

FAQs on the Russia Censorship Test

Is it illegal to use a VPN in Russia?

Using a VPN itself is legal in Russia. However, it's crucial to remember that accessing websites blocked by the government is not. To stay on the safe side, we recommend keeping yourself informed about the latest laws and regulations regarding VPN use in Russia. This will help you ensure you're using them in compliance and avoid any potential legal trouble.

What websites are blocked in Russia?

Most Kremlin bans focus on gambling and adult websites. However, following the events of February 2022, Russia has banned several other noteworthy sites, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as news websites like Google News and the BBC.

You can check out the full list of websites blocked in Russia here.

How can I access websites blocked in Russia?

VPNs are an easy way to change your virtual location, essentially allowing you to access the internet as if you were somewhere else. For example, if you’re in Russia and use a VPN to connect to a server in the US, it will seem like you’re browsing from the US and you’ll be able to access your favorite websites.

However, not all VPNs work in Russia, which is why we perform daily tests to find the ones that do. The VPNs on our list can access Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BBC News, and more.

Important!: If you’re traveling to Russia, make sure to download a VPN in advance. Several VPN websites will be blocked once you enter the country so you won’t be able to get them.

In addition, the team at vpnMentor does not condone illegal activity, so please inform yourself of the most recent local laws and regulations surrounding VPN use and website bans before visiting any site that could be illegal to access there.

Why is Russia blocking so many websites?

Since Russia’s conflict with Ukraine started in February 2022, the Kremlin has blocked over 6,000 websites. Most of these bans targeted gambling and adult content, but not only. Researchers have found that a significant number of websites were banned due to content that was directly related to the war.

The government worked together with local internet service providers to block online content using technologies such as DNS based filtering, RST packet injection, HTTP man-in-the-middle interference, and deep packet inspection.

This means that while you’re in Russia, you won’t be able to access major websites and applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BBC News, Google News, and more. However, there are VPNs that can give you access to the content you need while there, so you can keep up with international news and your social media accounts. With the right VPN, you’ll be able to access any website, even if it failed our Russia Censorship Test.

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.