Updated · Center for European Policy Analysis · Jun 24
Up to 66 Million Russians Use VPNs, Defying Kremlin Blocks on Telegram and YouTube
Updated
Updated · Center for European Policy Analysis · Jun 24
Up to 66 Million Russians Use VPNs, Defying Kremlin Blocks on Telegram and YouTube
1 articles · Updated · Center for European Policy Analysis · Jun 24
Summary
Up to 66 million Russians—more than 45% of the population—were using VPNs by April, according to an independent model, showing blocked platforms still retain millions of users.
March 2026 VPN app installs ran 14 times higher than a year earlier, extending a surge that began after Russia’s 2022 invasion-era censorship push left users scrambling for workarounds.
Telegram’s ban triggered unsanctioned protests and elite criticism, prompting the Kremlin to pair arrests and pressure with delays to new internet controls until after State Duma elections.
Those delayed measures include fees on “foreign” traffic and an IMEI device registry, both designed to expose and penalize Russians who use second phones or VPNs to reach independent services.
Independent media traffic has largely held up despite tighter blocking, suggesting Moscow faces a prolonged technological cat-and-mouse fight it may struggle to win.