In a recent briefing, officials reported that since 2021, Russia has blocked 167 VPN services, a figure disclosed by Sergei Khutortsev, head of the Public Communications Network Monitoring and Management Center within the ministry. The number highlights a sustained effort to regulate online access and curb tools that circumvent nationwide controls. The disclosure comes amid a broader push to monitor digital channels and ensure alignment with national cyber policies, attracting attention from technology commentators and security experts alike.
Khutortsev explained that the monitoring unit works in close partnership with information security regulators to identify and disable malicious websites. The stated aim is to protect telecom users and critical infrastructure by intercepting harmful content before it reaches end users. He noted that recent measures have produced near full visibility across telecom networks, with traffic filtering extending to nearly all consumer and business customers served by Russian operators.
The official added that blocking actions also target sites involved in phishing campaigns and those engaged in information warfare against the Russian Federation. He described a continuous cycle of detection, interception, and remediation, aimed at reducing public risk and safeguarding national security interests. Such activity, he argued, reflects a proactive approach to curbing threats in real time rather than a reactive stance after damages occur.
According to the center, more than two thousand phishing sites were shuttered and over twenty malware control and distribution hubs were disrupted in 2023. These numbers underscore the scale of the cyber defense effort and the ongoing need for vigilance against evolving threats that target consumers, businesses, and government systems. The data reinforce the role of centralized monitoring in maintaining digital safety and resilience across the country.
The Public Communications Network Monitoring and Management Center operates as a subdivision of Roskomnadzor, the federal agency responsible for regulating communications and information technologies in Russia. The arrangement illustrates how regulatory bodies organize centralized oversight to respond to cyber threats, monitor traffic, and enforce compliance with rules governing digital services.
In October, Russian users were advised to consider a domestic analogue to WhatsApp within RuStore, the national app marketplace. This guidance reflects a broader shift toward promoting locally hosted communication platforms and reducing dependence on foreign services. The move aligns with ongoing regulatory developments aimed at ensuring domestic apps comply with national laws, data protection standards, and user safety guidelines. In parallel, statements from the Ministry of Digital Development indicated that RuStore would no longer host VPN services that fail to meet legislative requirements, signaling a tighter regulatory environment for app providers and digital tools in the domestic market. [citation: government briefing, Roskomnadzor press release, 2023–2024 updates]