Russia Intensifies Internet Censorship with VPN and Cloudflare Blocks

Russia has escalated its efforts to restrict internet access by targeting VPN apps and Cloudflare services. Starting March 12, 2025, Roskomnadzor, the country’s censor body, issued at least 47 removal orders for popular VPN apps from the Google Play store. This move follows a broader strategy to limit VPN usage, with almost 200 VPN services already blocked in Russia.

A few days later, on March 20, Cloudflare subnets were temporarily blocked, causing widespread disruptions across eastern Russia. This affected over 1.5 million IP addresses and made popular websites like TikTok, Steam, Twitch, and Duolingo inaccessible without a VPN. The blockage also impacted VPN services linked to Cloudflare, including Warp VPN.

Key Points:

• VPN App Removals: Google received orders to remove at least 47 VPN apps from its Play Store, adding to the nearly 200 VPNs already blocked in Russia.
• Cloudflare Blockage: Temporary blockage of Cloudflare subnets in eastern Russia led to significant outages, affecting major websites and VPN services.
• Impact on Services: The blockage affected online banking systems, state portals, and popular gaming platforms, highlighting the extensive reliance on Cloudflare for security and speed.
• Long-term Plans: Experts warn that Russia may completely block Cloudflare, similar to Iran’s actions, which could severely limit internet access and security for Russian users.
• Government Motivation: The actions are part of a broader strategy to control information flow and enforce digital sovereignty, with Roskomnadzor conducting checks on foreign server usage by Russian services