WhatsApp has reported that Russia is blocking the popular messaging app on its territory. The measure comes after applying restrictions a few days ago in Telegram and in a control context in which Moscow has deepened since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine and that previously led to blocking or restrictions on platforms such as x, Facebook, instagram either FaceTimeamong others. WhatsApp, which has described the measure as ‘a step backwards’ that ‘can only lead to less security for people in Russia’, assures that it will do everything possible so that Russian users can continue using the platform. The measure affects about ‘100 million’ people in a country whose population is around 145 million.
According to Russian media, the country’s internet regulator, Roskomnadzorhas recently excluded the domains whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com of the National Domain Name Systemciting the fight against crime and fraud as the official explanation.
Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app. Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.…
— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) February 12, 2026
Excluding domains from DNS routing has made WhatsApp services are only accessible to users using VPN tools. Goal It is designated as an ‘extremist’ entity in Russia from 2022.
WhatsApp suffered its first restrictions in the country in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor began to slow down voice and video calls. In October 2025, authorities attempted to block the registration of new users.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskovhas stated that the authorities are open to allow WhatsApp to resume operations in the country, as long as Meta complies with local legislation.
The blocking of WhatsApp comes shortly after measures were taken against Telegram, which was noticeably slowed down earlier this week in Russia.
Since 2022, the year of the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has blocked Facebook, Instagram, Twitter on its territory, now x, signal and Viber. During this time, it has also slowed YouTubeimposed restrictions on FaceTime and limited calls on WhatsApp and Telegram, reports The New York Post.
The founder of Telegram, Pavel Durovresponded to the situation by stating that Russia is trying encourage your citizens to use MAXthe Kremlin-controlled messaging app. WhatsApp has also put forward this argument by pointing out that the Russian authorities intend ‘push users to a state surveillance app’.
MAX is a controversial communications platform developed by VKthe largest Russian technology group aligned with the Kremlin, which has become mandatory on all electronic devices sold in the country from September 2025. VK introduces MAX as a comprehensive solution for messaging, online utilities, payments and more than protects domestic communications from foreign surveillancebut has also stated that will share user data with the authorities when requested. MAX, according to experts, does not use end-to-end encryption.
For now, users in Russia rely on VPN tools for unrestricted access to the aforementioned platforms, although These are not safe from government action either.. Many of them also crash regularly.