Russia tries to block WhatsApp, Telegram in communication blockade – Bleeping Computer

The Russian government is trying to block WhatsApp in the country as its crackdown on communication platforms outside its control intensifies. WhatsApp announced the action against it on X, calling it “a backwards step” that “can only lead to less safety for people in Russia.” WhatsApp assured its Russian users that it will continue doing everything it can to keep them connected. According to Russian media, the country’s internet watchdog, Roskomnadzor, had recently excluded the domains whatsapp.com and web.whatsapp.com from the National Domain Name System, citing the official explanation of countering crime and fraud. In practice, excluding the domains from domestic DNS routing made WhatsApp services accessible only to users who use VPN tools or external resolvers. However, more aggressive measures are reportedly now in place, with the latest attempt to fully block WhatsApp in Russia. The instant messenger’s parent company, Meta, has been designated as an “extremist” entity in Russia since 2022. WhatsApp saw its first restrictions in the country in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor began throttling voice and video calls. In October 2025, the authorities attempted to block new user registrations. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov reportedly stated that the authorities are open to allowing WhatsApp to resume operations
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