The Russian government is intensifying its actions on foreign communication platforms, with fresh efforts to block WhatsApp and restrict Telegram across the country.
The move marks another escalation in Moscow’s long-running attempt to reduce reliance on services it does not directly regulate.
WhatsApp Domains Removed From Russian DNS
According to reports from Russian media, the country’s communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, recently removed whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com from Russia’s National Domain Name System.
Officials claim the action is aimed at combating crime and fraud. In practice, however, removing the domains from domestic DNS routing makes WhatsApp accessible only through:
- VPN services
- External DNS resolvers
- Other circumvention tools
WhatsApp publicly responded on X, calling the move “a backwards step” that would reduce safety for people in Russia. The company said it would continue doing everything possible to keep Russian users connected.
WhatsApp’s parent company, Meta, has been labeled an “extremist” organization in Russia since 2022, which has complicated its operations in the country.
From Throttling to Blocking
This is not the first time WhatsApp has faced restrictions in Russia.
- August 2025: Authorities began throttling voice and video calls.
- October 2025: Officials attempted to block new user registrations.
- February 2026: More aggressive measures aim at a full-service block.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated that WhatsApp could resume operations if Meta complies with Russian law - a condition that typically involves stricter data localization and content controls.
Telegram Also Targeted
The crackdown is not limited to WhatsApp.
Telegram was reportedly subjected to aggressive throttling earlier this week. Its founder, Pavel Durov, suggested that Russian authorities are attempting to push citizens toward a state-aligned messaging alternative.
The Rise of MAX, the State-Backed Alternative
The app in question is MAX, a messaging platform developed by VK, a Russian technology company.
Since September 2025, MAX has reportedly been mandatory on all electronic devices sold in Russia.
While officials promote MAX as a secure domestic alternative that protects users from foreign influence, independent analysts have raised concerns about:
- Encryption weaknesses
- Government access to communications
- Extensive data collection practices
The government’s broader strategy appears to favor platforms it can more easily regulate (or influence) over foreign-operated services.
VPNs: A Temporary Workaround
For now, many Russian users can still access WhatsApp and Telegram through VPN services.
However, VPN tools themselves have also been subject to increasing restrictions and enforcement efforts in recent years, leaving their long-term usage uncertain.
A Broader Communication Shift
Russia’s actions show a larger policy trend: consolidating digital infrastructure under domestic control while reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
Whether these measures will succeed in fully replacing WhatsApp and Telegram remains unclear. But the pressure on independent communication channels is clear.
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