Asger Risom
Russian parliament says YouTube will be blocked for good.
Russian lawmakers say access to YouTube will soon disappear entirely, marking the final stage of a years-long confrontation between the state and the world’s largest video platform. Officials frame the move as a legal necessity, but critics see it as another step in tightening information control.
The timeline now appears measured in months, not years.
Lawmakers’ warning
Andrei Svintsov, deputy chairman of the State Duma committee overseeing information policy and technology, said YouTube would be fully blocked in Russia within six to twelve months. Speaking to the outlet Abzats, he said the platform had repeatedly ignored Russian legislation.
Svintsov urged Russian content creators to move their audiences to domestic alternatives such as Rutube and VK Video, saying reliance on YouTube was no longer viable.
Gradual shutdown
Russian users first noticed YouTube slowdowns in July 2024. At the time, the media watchdog Roskomnadzor blamed technical issues, claiming Google had failed to maintain its Russian server infrastructure.
Months later, Alexander Khinshtein, then head of the Duma’s information policy committee, acknowledged that the throttling had been initiated by the authorities themselves.
By December, Russia’s largest mobile operators — including MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, Tele2 and Yota — had made YouTube videos nearly unwatchable on their networks.
Official justification
Roskomnadzor later confirmed that access to YouTube had been restricted due to what it called violations of Russian law and “disrespect” toward the country. The agency accused the platform of blocking more than 200 Russian channels described by officials as media or informational outlets.
Despite the restrictions, limited access persisted through smaller regional internet providers. In cities such as St Petersburg, some subscribers were still able to watch YouTube until regulators closed the remaining gaps.
One provider, eTelecom, said the service disruption was not linked to actions taken by local operators.
VPN surge
As access narrowed, Russians increasingly turned to virtual private networks to bypass the blocks. According to a survey by the Levada Center, the number of VPN users in Russia was 36% higher in March 2025 than a year earlier.
The growth highlights the tension between state controls and public demand for global platforms. Even as officials promote domestic video services, YouTube remains deeply embedded in everyday online life.
A wider pattern
The planned ban fits into a broader strategy of isolating Russia’s internet from foreign platforms. While lawmakers describe the move as permanent, its effectiveness may depend on how aggressively authorities pursue circumvention tools.
For now, officials are clear on their message: YouTube’s days in Russia are numbered.
Sources: Absatz
