On February 11, Roskomnadzor excluded the domains of websites such as WhatsApp, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as a number of independent media outlets, including DW, from the registry of the National Domain Name System of Russia. This effectively means a complete blocking of these resources in the country. As a result, users cannot access YouTube and WhatsApp either through browsers or mobile applications.
When trying to access YouTube directly without using a VPN, the network equipment cannot establish a connection between the website addresses and their IPs, resulting in an error.
In social networks, Russians are actively exchanging tips on how to bypass the blocks. For example, they suggest changing the DNS server on the device by using other public addresses. However, some users are concerned that authorities may record attempts to bypass censorship and impose sanctions for "searching for prohibited materials." In 2025, a law was passed in Russia that imposes a fine of up to 5,000 rubles for deliberately searching for "extremist materials" on the internet, including through the use of VPNs.
