Новые блокировки VPN. Что изменилось и к чему готовиться? Мы спросили популярные VPN сервисы

Summary

The video argues that VPN disruptions in Russia have become more systematic over the past year. Although many users noticed problems after the State Duma elections, the speakers say pressure had increased earlier, with a further wave of restrictions in September.

Representatives of VPN services describe several changes in Roskomnadzor’s approach:

• More sophisticated protocol detection: The video cites reports that Roskomnadzor learned to identify VLESS traffic through indirect indicators and adjusted its technical filtering systems. VPN providers say the regulator has also continued testing ways to detect and block protocols such as WireGuard and VLESS.
• Broader IP blocking: Rather than blocking only individual server addresses, authorities are said to be blocking entire subnets. This can affect many unrelated addresses, raise infrastructure costs, and make it harder for both commercial services and people running their own VPN servers.
• Faster, more coordinated restrictions: One provider says blocks that once spread gradually across regions are now being rolled out nearly simultaneously nationwide, leaving services less time to respond.
• Attacks on services: Amnezia describes a major attack earlier in the year involving widespread IP blocking and disruption to its infrastructure, including its payment system. The service attributes the attack to Roskomnadzor, while saying it has since adapted and is better able to withstand similar incidents.

The providers report that maintaining VPN infrastructure has become substantially more expensive. Some say their costs have multiplied, and one estimates an approximately fivefold increase. Some services have raised prices. They also say that, despite more frequent disruptions, they have become quicker at restoring access.

The video questions whether Russian apps refusing to work when a VPN is enabled have become a major new blocking tool. It says some Russian apps appeared to collect information about VPN use, but experts and providers interviewed consider the measure’s overall impact limited. The restrictions also reportedly eased as companies weighed the potential harm to their businesses.

Providers differ on whether Roskomnadzor uses a dedicated automated “scanner” to identify VPNs. Some believe it does; others say automation may simply have accelerated existing processes. The video also discusses government interest in using AI to improve blocking, but says the approach was reportedly set aside because of the risk of mistakenly blocking legitimate services.

There is disagreement about whether the VPN market is still growing. Amnezia and Paper VPN say their audiences, and possibly the wider market, are expanding. Liberty’s representative believes many users are instead switching between services. The video notes that established VPN users appear reluctant to give them up, while the lack of major new service blocks since spring may have reduced the incentive for others to start using one. It says neither criminal penalties for VPN use nor a return to unrestricted internet access currently appears likely, though rumors of administrative penalties persist.

Finally, the video reviews possible future restrictions. Proposals discussed include charging for international traffic and creating a registry of people or companies accused of hosting VPNs on Russian servers, which could prevent Russian hosting providers from serving them for a year. The latter remains a draft proposal, and its eventual form is uncertain. The video says such measures may burden self-hosted VPNs and increase costs, while large services using infrastructure abroad could be less directly affected.

Overall, the video’s conclusion is that Roskomnadzor has expanded and accelerated its blocking methods, but VPN providers are still adapting and restoring service. The long-term outcome of this ongoing “cat-and-mouse” contest remains uncertain.

Presenters and Contributors

• Presenter: The Paper (“Бумага”) channel host; not named in the subtitles.
• Contributors: Representatives of Amnezia, Blanc, Liberty, and Paper VPN; individual names are not provided.