The level of Russian VPN usage has returned to what it was in March–April 2022, according to Maksut Shadayev, who heads the Ministry of Digital Development. The observation was reported by Kommersant, which noted that the share of VPN users appears to have stabilized at this level after a period of fluctuation. Shadayev’s remarks frame this as a piece of positive news for the country’s digital landscape, suggesting that VPN services have not fully entrenched themselves within Russia’s online habits yet.
Maksut Shadayev
In his assessment, the traffic data from mobile operators shows a temporary rise in VPN activity, followed by a retreat back toward the March–April baseline. The pattern implies that, on the whole, VPN adoption has not reached a lasting, widespread foothold in the Russian market. This interpretation points to ongoing regulatory and practical barriers that keep VPNs from achieving broad, routine usage among the general population.
— Maksut Shadayev
The discussion expands beyond domestic access limits. VPNs have been used to reach blocked resources such as Facebook and Instagram, platforms that are prohibited in Russia due to policies labeling their parent company as extremist. The topic also extends to international dynamics, where in the United States there are reports of increased funding directed at VPN developers, a move that aligns with heightened demand from Russian users seeking to maintain access to diverse online services. In the tech space, independent developers are attempting to bring new, often daring, projects to life in this environment.
Note: Visual reporting and market analysis continue to track how shifts in policy, consumer behavior, and global tech funding influence the VPN ecosystem inside and outside Russia.
Source: VG Times