How to Unblock Social Media and Access News in Russia in 2024
Russia has blocked websites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, BBC and DW-TV to control the news around the Russo-Ukrainian War. Fortunately, a VPN is an excellent workaround to read news and unblock social media in Russia. We’ll see which VPNs work best.
Written by Wisdom Sablah (Writer)
Reviewed by Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Igor Kurtz (Fact-checking editor)
Last Updated: 2024-07-09T06:51:14+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
You’ll likely draw a blank if you attempt to access many popular social media and news sites in Russia, including BBC, DW-TV, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Others, like TikTok, are so heavily restricted that they’re unusable. Here at Cloudwards, we believe in internet freedom, and that’s why we’ll show you how to unblock social media in Russia using the best VPNs.
The Russian government, commonly referred to as the Kremlin, has clamped down on millions of websites since the passage of an internet blacklist law back in 2012. 10 The internet restrictions have gotten increasingly worse since, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. The Kremlin banned news sites to control reports on the war and outrage on social media.
Thankfully, a virtual private network (VPN) is an excellent solution since it can change your virtual location and access blocked sites. Russia frowns on VPN use, so it’s best to set one up before you travel there. Our VPN experts tested over 50 VPNs to unveil the top VPNs for Russia. But first, let’s highlight the various social media platforms that Russia has banned.
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03/21/2022
Updated this article to reflect that Twitter implemented a Tor Onion version in early March to help combat restrictions.
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11/14/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s expansion of server presence from 94 to 105 countries.
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05/23/2024 Facts checked
Restructured for easier reading and added more useful sections.
What Social Media Is Banned in Russia?
The following popular social media sites don’t work in Russia:
Other websites are heavily censored or restricted. For instance, you can access TikTok in Russia but can’t upload content, and you can’t make purchases on Discord.3 On the other hand, Snapchat, Reddit, WhatsApp, Pinterest, YouTube and Telegram seem to work fine in Russia for now.
Which Other Websites Are Blocked in Russia?
Russia has blocked hundreds of websites that it considers extremist, as well as those that expose Russians to narratives that differ from the Kremlin’s. Below are various kinds of websites that the Russian government has banned or severely restricted.7
- Websites that promote drug abuse
- Websites with illegal pornographic content
- Websites that teach suicide methods
- Social media: Twitter, Line, WeChat, LinkedIn, Signal and Reddit
- Streaming services: Netflix, Dailymotion and Twitch
- News websites: BBC, Deutsche Welle and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
- Online payments and cryptocurrency: PayPal, Cointelegraph, Binance and Visa
- Religious websites: the Jehovah’s Witnesses official website
- Human rights websites: Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International
- Other services: StartMail, Zello, Canva, SoundCloud and Pixabay
How to Use a VPN Service to Unblock Social Media & World News Websites in Russia
A VPN provider can change your virtual location. This lets you connect to the internet as though you were in another country, allowing you to access websites that are blocked in Russia. Follow the steps below to unblock any website while in Russia. We’re using ExpressVPN as our example since it’s the best VPN for Russia.
It’s important to note that most VPN websites are themselves blocked in Russia, so you need to either find a download site that isn’t yet blocked by the government or take these steps before going to Russia.
- Download and Install a VPN
Choose a VPN service and visit its website to purchase a subscription. Download and install the VPN client on your device. Be aware that many VPN sites are blocked in Russia, so you should download at least one VPN before entering the country. ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee that may cover the length of your trip.
- Connect to a Server
Open the VPN app and use the server list to connect to a server outside Russia. The server you choose determines the location you’ll use to get online. For example, connect to a U.S. server to access Netflix U.S. in Russia.
- Access Your Preferred Website
Open the blocked website. You should now be able to access it without any hindrance.
Why You Need a VPN in Russia for Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and More
You need a VPN in Russia because the Kremlin has blocked many popular social media and news websites. A VPN can change your IP address to a different country, allowing you to access the internet freely even while you’re in Russia. Let’s dig further into why a VPN is a must-have in Russia.
Many Websites Don’t Work in Russia
Many websites won’t open in Russia, including social media and news sites. The country has a long history of clamping down on free speech and websites that host it, but the censorship intensified after Vladimir Putin became president again in 2012.
After Putin’s election, thousands of Russians participated in massive protest rallies against the election results. The Kremlin responded by implementing measures and laws to silence and punish dissenters. That has since become the modus operandi of the Russian government.
In 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine, resulting in worldwide outrage. News sites and social media platforms enabled others to criticize the invasion and present narratives that differed from the Kremlin’s. The Russian government didn’t take kindly to the criticism, cracking down on many websites that disagreed with the military offensive and courted sympathy for Ukraine.
A study by OONI revealed that the Russian government blocked more than 247,492 URLs in 2022 alone. However, Russians can still access such websites with a VPN.
The Russian Government May Track Your Online Activities
The Russian government consistently monitors internet traffic to track Russians’ online behavior. If you use the internet in a way that isn’t approved by the government, you could be fined or imprisoned. In 2022, the country amended its criminal code to include penalties for spreading “fake” news about the Russo-Ukrainian War and discrediting the Russian army8.
You can be fined up to 1.5 million rubles if you post something that tarnishes the reputation of the Russian Federation army or calls on others to obstruct it. You could also be jailed for 15 years if you spread what the RF considers to be fake news about the war. A VPN turns your internet traffic into gibberish so the Kremlin can’t understand it.5
The Best VPNs for Russia to Unblock News & Social Media
Since 2021, Russia has blocked multiple VPNs, making it difficult to find VPN providers that work in the country. For Russia, you need a VPN with high-level encryption (AES) that unblocks websites, offers obfuscation and doesn’t store sensitive information.
Our VPN experts have tested over 50 VPNs for Russia, and we selected the three that work best. We’ll start with ExpressVPN, our top pick. It’s worth noting that all the options below offer solid encryption and stick to a strict no-logs policy.
1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Russia
allowing you to access the internet in Russia.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for accessing the internet in Russia, thanks to its trove of security features. First, it offers built-in obfuscation on all its servers, hiding your VPN use from any firewalls that Putin’s government might institute. ExpressVPN’s AES encryption is paired with RAM-only servers that regularly delete all saved activity.
In our tests, ExpressVPN unblocked BBC, DW-TV, Netflix and many other restricted sites in Russia. You can choose from servers in 105 countries, including popular locations like the U.S. and Canada, and countries near Russia like Finland and Ukraine.
Read our ExpressVPN review to learn more about the VPN service, or try it yourself by using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB
- 8
- Yes
2. NordVPN — Fastest VPN for Russia
NordVPN is an excellent option for browsing in Russia, especially if you find ExpressVPN to be too expensive. It can unblock most websites, from the news to social media platforms. NordVPN is the fastest VPN according to our tests, making it a great pick if you intend to stream HD or 4K videos, livestream content or watch live sports.
We recommend NordVPN for journalists and activists working in Russia due to its many advanced privacy features. For example, it has a double VPN feature, which sends your traffic through two VPN servers — adding an extra layer of encryption. It also offers Threat Protection, which blocks ads, malware and trackers.
Learn more about NordVPN’s features and performance in our NordVPN review. Alternatively, you can test it out using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
3. Surfshark — Affordable VPN for Russia
Choose Surfshark if you need a wallet-friendly VPN provider for Russia. Its one-year and two-year plans are among the most affordable on the VPN market. While Surfshark is cheap, it doesn’t skimp on features. It offers a “camouflage” mode (obfuscation), which makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic, so it’s hard for Russian authorities to block your connection.
Surfshark also offers the NoBorders mode, which can help you bypass geoblocking and censorship by the Russian government. The NoBorders mode automatically transfers your connection to servers that can outwit network restrictions. Surfshark also lets you use one subscription for unlimited devices.
Explore more details about Surfshark in our Surfshark review. You can also take advantage of Surfshark’s 30-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
Can You Use a Free VPN for Russia?
You can use a free VPN for Russia, but we don’t recommend it. Free VPNs are often unsafe. Some are malware carriers, while others might log and sell your data. In addition, some free VPNs don’t work at all; even if they do, they might be slow or unable to unblock websites.
Almost all free VPNs limit your servers, data and bandwidth. However, some free VPN providers are diamonds in the rough. We’ll highlight the best option below.
The Best Free VPN for Russia: Proton VPN
If you need to use a free VPN for Russia, we recommend Proton VPN. It’s the best free VPN service because it offers unlimited data. The free plan includes servers in five countries that can unblock Netflix, along with many other streaming services and news sites. However, you might experience slow speeds on the free plan during peak hours.
Final Thoughts
Russia has blocked multiple social media and news sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, BBC and DW-TV. Most of these restrictions were implemented to control the narrative about the Russo-Ukrainian War. Fortunately, you can use a VPN to bypass internet censorship if you’re in Russia.
ExpressVPN is the best choice because it has a large network of obfuscated servers that can hide your VPN use from Roskomnadzor. It’s also secure and has fast speeds. NordVPN is a faster alternative with useful security features like double VPN servers. If you’re on a shoestring budget, opt for Surfshark.
Have you ever tried accessing the internet in Russia? Which VPNs did you use, and did you face any obstacles? Do you have any questions or comments about the information provided in this article? Share your opinion and experiences with us in the comments section below.
FAQ: Unblock Social Media in Russia
To unblock Instagram in Russia, connect to a VPN server in another country. For instance, if you connect to a U.S. server, you can enjoy Instagram like anyone in the U.S.
Instagram doesn’t work in Russia. The Russian government banned the service in 2022 in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, you can access Instagram in Russia using a VPN.
Sources:
- Reporters Without Borders – Russia Blocks Rsf Site Ahead Of World Press Freedom Index Release But Mirror Site Still Accessible
- BBC – Explainer: What is Russia’s new VPN law all about?
- Discord – Update on Premium Services in Russia
- The Guardian – Russia Bans Facebook and Instagram Under ‘Extremism’ Law
- The Guardian – Tiktok Users In Russia Can See Only Old Russian-Made Content
- RFE/RF – Russia Will Not Ban YouTube, Minister Shadayev Says
- Ooni – How Internet Censorship Changed In Russia During The 1st Year Of Military Conflict In Ukraine
- The Moscow Times – Russia Duma Passes Law on ‘Fake News’
- Charter97 – YouTube Blocks About 40 Regional Russian Channels
- Freedom House – Russia FREEDOM ON THE NET 2023