Moscow: Russia’s Digital Minister, Maksut Shadayev, confirmed that authorities are working to significantly reduce VPN usage across the country. VPNs are widely used by millions of Russians to bypass state-imposed internet censorship and access restricted platforms.

Speaking on the state-backed messaging service MAX, Shadayev stated that the government’s objective is to limit VPN access while attempting to minimise disruption for regular users. He also revealed that decisions have been made to restrict access to several unidentified foreign platforms, though specific details were not disclosed.

The move is part of a broader tightening of digital controls that began after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia has introduced some of its most restrictive laws since the Soviet era, enforcing widespread censorship and expanding the powers of the Federal Security Service, the main successor to the KGB.

In recent months, authorities have escalated these measures further. Popular platforms such as WhatsApp have been blocked, while Telegram has experienced significant slowdowns. Mobile internet services have also been repeatedly disrupted in Moscow and other regions.

The Kremlin maintains that such restrictions are necessary, arguing that foreign platforms have failed to comply with Russian laws and that internet limitations are crucial to counter threats such as Ukrainian drone attacks.

According to Russia’s Kommersant newspaper, more than 400 VPN services had been blocked by mid-January, a 70% increase compared to late last year. However, the restrictions have sparked a continuous technological tug-of-war, as new VPN services emerge rapidly to replace those that are shut down.

Despite the crackdown, many Russians, particularly younger users, continue to find ways around the controls, frequently switching between VPN services in what has become a persistent digital cat-and-mouse game between authorities and users.