Russians Turn To VPNs And Multiple Devices As Internet Restrictions Tighten

In a café known for its free Wi-Fi and strong coffee, a Russian interior designer connects to a virtual private network (VPN) to access WhatsApp and communicate with friends abroad. Moments later, she disconnects the VPN to purchase a railway ticket because certain Russian websites block users who conceal their location. She then switches to a second phone to check messages on MAX, a state-backed messaging platform.

Her routine reflects a growing reality for many Russians as internet restrictions intensify across the country. Since authorities expanded online controls this year, users have increasingly relied on VPNs, multiple devices and other workarounds to access foreign applications and services while complying with domestic requirements.

Internet Controls Reshape Daily Life

The latest restrictions represent the most significant internet crackdown during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. While officials describe the measures as necessary for national security and digital sovereignty, the changes have affected everyday activities including banking, transport, online shopping and communications.

Authorities have encouraged citizens to adopt domestic digital platforms and reduce reliance on foreign services. However, some users remain cautious about state-backed alternatives, particularly MAX, despite assurances from its owner that user privacy is protected.

As a result, many people now separate their online activities across multiple devices. Some use one phone for government-backed services and another for foreign messaging platforms and social networks.

For users such as Irina, a 41-year-old interior designer, the process has become a routine part of daily life.

“Of course this is all a huge pain in the backside, but what else can we do?” she said. “You get used to it and spend your days turning VPNs on and off, toggling between different messengers and switching between different virtual countries or phones to use the apps and websites you need.”

VPN Usage Surges Across Russia

Demand for VPN services has increased dramatically as restrictions expand. VPNs allow users to route internet traffic through servers outside Russia, helping them access blocked content and services.

According to data cited by Kommersant, Russians downloaded the five most popular VPN applications from the Google Play Store 9.2 million times in March alone, a figure reportedly 14 times higher than the same period a year earlier.

Internet freedom activist Sarkis Darbinyan said the growth in VPN adoption is unprecedented.

At the same time, authorities have restricted access to hundreds of VPN services, creating an ongoing cycle in which users continually search for alternative tools when existing options stop working.

Survey data from the Levada Center shows the share of Russians who acknowledge using VPNs has risen from 23 per cent in 2022 to 36 per cent this year.

Election Season And Public Frustration

The restrictions have also generated political concerns ahead of September’s parliamentary elections. According to analysts and political observers, internet disruptions have occasionally complicated efforts by officials and political organisations to communicate with voters.

The issue gained additional attention after a prolonged internet outage in Moscow earlier this year. The disruption affected navigation applications, messaging platforms and other digital services used by businesses and residents.

When navigation tools became unreliable, delivery drivers reportedly relied on Wi-Fi networks to download directions. Meanwhile, sales of paper maps in Moscow more than doubled during the disruption.

Growing frustration over internet restrictions has coincided with broader concerns about inflation, tax increases and fatigue linked to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. State polling data showed Putin’s approval rating fell earlier this year before recovering slightly in subsequent months.

Balancing Security And Connectivity

The Kremlin argues that tighter internet controls are necessary because Russia is engaged in what officials describe as a broader confrontation with the West. Authorities have also justified temporary mobile internet shutdowns as a measure to counter Ukrainian drone attacks.

However, Putin has acknowledged the need for balance. Earlier this year, he instructed officials to avoid relying solely on restrictions and emphasised the importance of maintaining access to critical digital services.

Recent reports indicate that plans to impose additional charges on heavy users of foreign internet traffic have been postponed. The government has also directed agencies to ensure that healthcare systems, payment platforms and other essential online services continue operating effectively.

Despite those assurances, many Russians expect internet restrictions to remain part of everyday life. For users already accustomed to switching between VPNs, messaging apps and multiple devices, adaptation has become a necessity rather than a choice.

As Irina observed, a common Russian saying may best capture the mood: “Nothing is more permanent than the temporary.”

With inputs from Reuters