On February 11, 2026, Meta-owned WhatsApp announced that the Russian government has “attempted to fully block” its services across the country. This move marks the most severe escalation in Russia’s long-standing campaign against Western social media and follows the 2022 designation of Meta as an “extremist organization.”
The block effectively cuts off private communication for over 100 million active users in Russia, as the Kremlin moves to centralize all digital communication under state-controlled infrastructure.
The Strategic Replacement: “MAX”
The primary driver behind the ban is the promotion of a new Russian “super-app” called MAX. Developed by the state-owned tech giant VK, MAX is designed to be the Russian equivalent of China’s WeChat.
- Unified Services: MAX integrates messaging, video calls, digital banking, and the Gosuslugi (government services) portal.
- Mandatory Adoption: As of September 2025, the Russian government mandated that MAX be pre-installed on all smartphones, tablets, and computers sold in the country.
- Surveillance Concerns: Meta and independent rights groups have labeled MAX a “state-owned surveillance app.” It explicitly lacks end-to-end encryption and is legally required to share user data with Russian authorities upon request.
Chronology of the Crackdown
The complete block of WhatsApp is the culmination of a multi-year effort to achieve “sovereign internet” status.
| Timeline | Action Taken |
| March 2022 | Facebook and Instagram are banned; Meta designated “extremist.” |
| August 2025 | Audio and video calls on WhatsApp and Telegram are restricted/throttled. |
| December 2025 | Apple FaceTime is blocked nationwide by Roskomnadzor. |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Roskomnadzor begins “phased restrictions” and throttling on Telegram. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | WhatsApp domain is removed from the National DNS, triggering a full block. |
The Technical Implementation
Russian authorities are utilizing the National Domain Name System (DNS) to implement the ban. By removing WhatsApp from this state-controlled directory, the app effectively becomes invisible to local internet service providers.
- DNS Removal: Most users can no longer resolve the “whatsapp.com” domain, leading to “connection failed” errors.
- VPN Evasion: While many Russians are attempting to bypass the block using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), Roskomnadzor has simultaneously stepped up efforts to block the most popular VPN protocols.
- Telegram Throttling: Unlike WhatsApp, Telegram has not been fully blocked yet, but it is currently being throttled (slowed down), making it difficult for users to send media files or make calls.
Official Responses
“Trying to isolate over 100 million users from private and secure communication is a backwards step and can only lead to less safety for people in Russia. We continue to do everything we can to keep users connected.” — WhatsApp Spokesperson, Feb 12, 2026.
The Kremlin’s Stance
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov clarified that the ban is not necessarily permanent but is contingent on Meta’s submission to Russian law.
- Compliance Requirement: Russia demands that Meta store all data of Russian users on local servers and provide law enforcement access to decrypted messages.
- The Ultimatum: “If the Meta corporation sticks to an uncompromising position… then there is no chance [for its return],” Peskov told the TASS news agency.
