Russia Proposes State-Run VPN Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Private Services

On 8 June 2024, Roskomnadzor’s deputy head Oleg Terlyakov met with a group of Russian IT firms to announce a government-controlled “state VPN.” The service is pitched as a narrow-purpose tool for developers who lost access to foreign coding resources after the regulator’s anti-VPN measures blocked sites such as GitHub, Python repositories, and Figma. The proposal frames the VPN as a “solution for those who really need it.”

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Roskomnadzor has been blocking popular VPN services for years, and since April 2024 domestic internet providers are legally required to detect and block active VPN connections. The regulator has also been accused of launching distributed-denial-of-service attacks against VPN providers. Officials have publicly admitted that a total ban on VPNs is “simply impossible,” prompting the search for a state-run alternative that can be tightly monitored.

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Analysts warn that a single, state-managed gateway would give Roskomnadzor unprecedented visibility into developers’ traffic, effectively creating a “privileged caste with full access.” The architecture could also enable the government to block foreign connections more easily, deepening a digital divide between state-approved users and those forced to rely on unofficial tools. Critics argue the system could be used to monitor code, communications, and collaborative workflows.

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Roskomnadzor described the state VPN as a “solution for those who really need it,” emphasizing that it addresses the unintended consequences of its own anti-VPN policy. Government spokespeople reiterated that a complete ban on VPNs is technically unfeasible, positioning the state service as a controlled yet necessary alternative for the strategic tech sector. No detailed technical specifications have been released.

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Developers and a Russian IT association called the proposal “shady” and warned it could “easily block access from abroad,” raising fears of mass surveillance. Critics stress that the plan would institutionalize a two-tiered internet and give the state unprecedented monitoring power. Sources also note that the technical architecture, authentication methods, and rollout schedule remain undisclosed, leaving the scope of adoption uncertain.

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• “Cutting off Russians from international development tools will be even easier if everyone starts using the same VPN.” — Unnamed source, meeting attendee

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• “It could easily block access from abroad, and the idea itself seems shady,” — Unnamed source, Russian IT association

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• “privileged caste with full access will emerge.” — Commentators

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• “simply impossible.” — Russian officials

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Roskomnadzor is expected to publish regulatory guidelines for the state VPN in the coming weeks. Observers will watch the service’s implementation for compliance with privacy standards and for any signs that the tool expands state surveillance beyond its stated purpose.

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