Russia Blocks WhatsApp, YouTube and Major Western Platforms via National DNS System
Russia has escalated its internet control strategy by moving beyond throttling foreign platforms to making them completely inaccessible. According to multiple independent reports, as of February 10, 2026, the domains of WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and several other Western services have been removed from the country’s national domain name system (DNS).
Unlike earlier measures that merely slowed access, this new approach effectively erases the platforms from Russia’s internet infrastructure. When users attempt to access these services, their devices can no longer resolve the domain names into IP addresses, resulting in errors indicating that the domains do not exist.
Most aggressive step under “sovereign internet” law
The move represents the most severe enforcement yet under Russia’s 2019 “sovereign internet” legislation. The law requires all internet providers in the country to route DNS requests through the National Domain Name System managed by Roskomnadzor.
Technical specialist Leonid Yuldashev reported that DNS requests to YouTube stopped passing through the national system after the platform’s domain was removed from the address directory. This effectively renders such services completely inaccessible without a VPN.
Media outlets and privacy tools also targeted
The restrictions extend beyond social media. International news outlets such as BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as well as privacy tools like the Tor browser, have also been blocked using the same DNS mechanism.
The sweeping action is widely seen as part of a broader strategy to tighten control over digital information flows within Russia.
Telegram restrictions spark response
The DNS blocks coincided with new restrictions on Telegram announced on February 10, which disrupted media loading, messaging, and app access for users. Telegram founder Pavel Durov responded strongly, accusing Russian authorities of attempting to force citizens toward a state-controlled messaging platform.
Durov compared the situation to Iran’s failed attempt to ban Telegram in 2016, noting that users often bypass censorship and continue using preferred platforms rather than switching to government-monitored alternatives.
State-backed alternative promoted
At the same time, Russian authorities are heavily promoting Max, a state-backed messaging app developed by VK and required to be pre-installed on devices sold in Russia. By late 2025, Max had reached 70 million monthly users, though it still trails WhatsApp and Telegram.
Critics argue the app is designed for surveillance and political censorship, citing its integration with government services and requirement for a Russian or Belarusian SIM card.
VPN restrictions intensify
Russia has also intensified its crackdown on VPN services that could bypass the blocks. Protocols such as WireGuard and OpenVPN are reportedly being detected and blocked through deep packet inspection systems deployed across national networks.
These measures highlight Russia’s accelerating push toward a tightly controlled, state-regulated internet environment.
