Moscow chokes international internet bandwidth in latest attack on Russian
VPN users

Date:
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 16:39:40 +0000

Description:
Russias fight against digital privacy escalates as internet providers agree
to freeze the expansion of cross-border channels into Europe. By capping international bandwidth, authorities aim to force telecom operators to either filter VPN traffic or hike prices, making it harder for citizens to bypass state censorship.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
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your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Around 20 Russian telecom companies have signed a moratorium to halt the expansion of communication channels to Europe. The bandwidth freeze aims to curb VPN usage by forcing operators to filter traffic or introduce an "economic filter" on international data. Over 20 of Russia's largest websites have also begun restricting access for users with active VPN connections. Russia's ongoing war against digital privacy has taken a severe structural turn. According to new reports, approximately 20 Russian telecom companies owning international communication channels have signed a moratorium freezing their expansion into Europe.

The move is a direct attack on internet freedom. By artificially capping the bandwidth of cross-border data channels, the state intends to choke the very networks required to run the best VPN services, leaving citizens increasingly isolated from the global internet. As detailed by local media outlets RBC and Meduza , VPN usage registers on telecom networks as foreign traffic. With bandwidth fixed, the natural growth in international data will eventually saturate existing lines. You may like Russia's major internet services instructed on how to detect VPNs "Another wave of VPN blocks:" Windscribe records drop in traffic in Russia Detect, block, evade: how to survive
Russias VPN crackdown

The moratorium was reportedly signed following meetings with Maksut Shadayev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development. Telecom operators including MTS, VimpelCom (Beeline), T2 Mobile, and Transtelecom were among the participants. Imposing an 'economic filter' (Image credit: Panumas Nikhomkhai / Pexels) By refusing to expand international infrastructure, the burden of censorship shifts directly onto the telecom industry. One source told RBC:

"Ultimately, telecom operators will try to combat VPNs whose traffic appears foreign on the network: they will either try to filter it or increase the
cost of accessing foreign services, in other words, they will 'impose an economic filter.'"

Authorities also hope this manufactured bottleneck will strong-arm foreign digital platforms into setting up local servers within Russian borders to prevent their users from experiencing severe download speed drops.

Furthermore, Forbes recently reported that the Ministry proposed imposing
fees on mobile users consuming more than 15 GB of international data per month, a measure expected to be implemented by May 1. A multi-front technical crackdown (Image credit: Shutterstock) This infrastructure freeze is just one piece of a broader campaign against circumvention tools. Starting April 1, Russia's "big four" operators disabled the ability to pay for Apple IDs via mobile bills to disrupt VPN subscriptions, particularly as the Ministry noted that VPN detection on iPhones is "significantly limited."

Additionally, over 20 of the country's most popular websites, including Yandex, VK, and Sber, are now required to restrict access if a user has a VPN enabled. What to read next Russias crackdown on VPNs reaches new heights as internet restrictions intensify Russia moves to 'reduce VPN usage' with new blocking, fines and fees Russia's major internet services instructed on how
to detect VPNs

"Essentially, this is a fight against VPNs using the platforms and their advanced technical means," an RBC source explained. Are VPNs still a viable option? Despite the aggressive measures, officials maintain that no outright bans are in place. Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov stated:

"There are currently no bans on this matter, and no liability for its use is envisaged."

However, Shadayev admitted on the Max messenger app that punishing users was considered.

"The issue of introducing administrative penalties for VPN use was discussed in the chat. This is a blunt solution, which we categorically disapprove of," he wrote.

"The measures being discussed today are a difficult compromise. Of course, we understand all the consequences, but all other options are much worse."

For users navigating this increasingly hostile landscape, understanding how
to survive Russia's VPN crackdown is more vital than ever. Today's best VPN deals NordVPN 2 Year 2.59 /mth View +3 months free Surfshark 24 Months 1.49 /mth View Proton VPN 2.39 /mth View +4 MONTHS FREE ExpressVPN 24 month 1.74 /mth View We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices powered by Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source
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