Rosmolodezh chief promotes Tinder alternative and Russia’s dating app shift

The head of Rosmolodezh, Ksenia Razuvaeva, has endorsed an alternative to the Tinder dating app and has left Russia, a move she says reflects discussions in the department’s youth forums. This shift appears to align with recent conversations about how young people in Russia are seeking new ways to connect and build community, both online and offline. The decision signals a broader interest in platforms that emphasize real-world social engagement and constructive relationships, rather than only casual dating. Razuvaeva emphasizes that the alternative she supports offers a space where young people can explore common interests, collaborate on projects, and form lasting friendships that may lead to strong families in time. In her view, this model resembles what she calls Tinder for a healthy person, portraying it as a tool for meaningful connections rather than mere swiping.
There are indications that on the eve of Tinder’s permanent halt in Russia, the service faced operational challenges as the Match Group platform stopped functioning in the country. The core action associated with the app, the swipe, is described as a quick decision mechanism: users view potential matches and swipe right if there is interest. When two users both express interest, a private chat opens, enabling ongoing communication and the exchange of messages. This simple mechanism has long been its hallmark, driving rapid interactions and a sense of discovery among online daters.
A June survey suggests that nearly half of Russians who use dating services would miss Tinder if it were unavailable, highlighting the app’s impact on social connections and dating habits. The findings indicate a significant portion of users valued Tinder for its convenience, breadth of profiles, and the immediacy of matching that the platform provided in daily life.
Historically, Tinder’s development included artificial intelligence components meant to assist men in meeting women online. The company explored neural network technologies to enhance matchmaking and improve the user experience, reflecting a broader trend toward AI-assisted social apps that aim to better pair interests, preferences, and communication styles.