Russia's Ministry of Digital Development has instructed major domestic internet platforms to begin blocking VPN traffic from April 15, TASS reported on April 2.

The ministry held a meeting with company executives on March 30 to discuss measures against VPN use on popular services. Participants were told to implement the blocks within two weeks or face exclusion from government "white lists" and other penalties, one attendee said.

Apple has already removed more than 20 VPN services from the Russian App Store at the request of internet regulator Roskomnadzor.

The crackdown on VPN access tightens Russia's grip on domestic internet traffic at a time when Moscow is positioning itself as a mediator in the Iran war while simultaneously restricting its own citizens' access to outside information.

SVR intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin confirmed on April 1 that Russian and US intelligence agencies were in direct contact over the Iran conflict.

The move mirrors Iran's approach to internet control during the war. Tehran has maintained a near-total internet blackout since February 28, with connectivity at 1% of normal levels, and has arrested at least 46 people for selling Starlink satellite connections.

Iran's authorities have been widening their crackdown on satellite terminals to eliminate remaining means of outside communication.

Russia had already been tightening VPN restrictions since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, progressively limiting tools that allow users to bypass state-controlled internet filtering.