Russia Official Says Fully Banning VPNs Is ‘Impossible’ Amid Internet Crackdown
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Key Takeaways
- VPN ban Russia: impossible enforcement admission: Valery Fadeev says full VPN blocking technically unachievable nationwide and critical infrastructure operations, according officials
- VPN reliance raises risk for banks and tech systems under restrictions: VPN usage supports banking tech firms programmers remote access and blocking would disrupt operations significantly
- Authorities continue criticism despite acknowledging technical limits of VPN enforcement: Officials still criticize VPN users accessing blocked media calling it enemy propaganda while restrictions continue
A senior Russian official has acknowledged that fully blocking Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in the country cannot be achieved in practice. The comments highlight the growing tension between Russia’s internet restrictions and the technical realities of modern online infrastructure.
VPN Ban Seen as Technically Impossible
Valery Fadeev, head of Russia’s Presidential Human Rights Council, has admitted that trying to shut down all VPN services would not work. He explained that the technology behind VPNs is too complex and widely used to be completely removed from the internet system.
According to him, any attempt to fully block these tools could end up damaging the broader internet structure. He noted that the system is so interconnected that a total shutdown effort could “break” key parts of online access.
At the same time, Fadeev maintained a critical stance toward citizens using VPNs to bypass restrictions and access blocked content. He suggested that some of the information accessed through these services represents “enemy propaganda,” reflecting the government’s long-standing position on restricted media.
Economic Risks for Banks and Businesses
Fadeev also pointed out that VPNs are not only used for bypassing censorship but are also essential tools for businesses and financial systems. He warned that blocking them completely would create serious disruptions.
Banks, tech companies, and software developers rely on VPNs for secure communication and remote access. He specifically mentioned that programmers who download code and work across systems would be heavily affected if VPN access were fully removed.
This, he said, is already widely understood among experts, even if not always acknowledged publicly.
Continued Crackdown but No Full Ban in Sight
Despite admitting that a total ban is not realistic, Russian authorities continue efforts to limit VPN usage and restrict access to independent online sources. The government has repeatedly taken steps to block websites and reduce access to circumvention tools.
Fadeev himself has previously described VPN use as “unnatural,” arguing that citizens using them are seeking information from sources the state considers hostile. He also rejected claims that internet restrictions violate free speech, linking the issue instead to national security concerns.
Meanwhile, industry voices, including Pavel Durov, have criticized ongoing VPN restrictions in Russia.
Despite the pressure, several VPN services are still reported to function in the country, as providers continue adapting to ongoing blocks and enforcement measures.
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