By February 2026, the Russian internet had turned into a zone of active digital warfare. YouTube is effectively blocked. Instagram is unavailable. Telegram and WhatsApp are subject to severe throttling—files won’t send, calls get cut off, and videos won’t load.
Roskomnadzor and TSPU (technical countermeasures against threats) are operating in a state of constant escalation. A standard VPN is no longer a panacea: the government has learned to block OpenVPN and WireGuard in their unmodified forms. Nevertheless, workarounds exist—and there are more of them than ever before.
The Internet is a medium that cannot be completely shut down. As long as there are people who know how to use it, information will remain free.
Editor-in-Chief of the queer magazine Doberman.media
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1. VPN — THE BASICS
[ ПРОТОКОЛЫ / ИНСТРУМЕНТЫ / ВЫБОР СЕРВИСА ]
// Why a Regular VPN Doesn't Work Anymore
ISP firewalls can identify traffic based on characteristic protocol signatures. OpenVPN and classic WireGuard are detected and blocked at the ISP level. Free VPNs often use Russian infrastructure—your traffic may be analyzed or handed over at the request of law enforcement agencies.
// Protocols That Are Active Right Now
▸ VLESS + XTLS-Reality (X-Ray / Xray-core)
One of the protocols most resistant to blocking. The traffic is disguised as standard TLS traffic to legitimate websites (Microsoft, Cloudflare). ISPs can hardly tell it apart from standard HTTPS.
◦ Hiddify is a universal client; download it from hiddify.com
▪ Alternative panel — Marzban:
▸ Shadowsocks-2022 / Shadowsocks-AEAD
Updated versions of Shadowsocks with improved obfuscation. Fast, low on system resources, and works well on mobile devices.
▪ Sing-box (Android/iOS/Windows/macOS):
▪ Outline Manager — Set up the server in 3 clicks:
▸ Hysteria 2
A QUIC/UDP-based protocol that masquerades as a video stream. Extremely fast—works great for YouTube and video calls, even with high latency.
▪ Built into Nekobox, Hiddify, and Sing-box
▸ Amnesia WireGuard (AWGTU)
A modified version of WireGuard with obfuscated packet headers. It is not detected as WireGuard by DPI systems.
// Ready-to-use VPN services (without your own server)
Selection criteria: jurisdiction outside the Russian Federation, payment via cryptocurrency or foreign credit cards, obfuscated protocols, and an independent security audit.
↗ Mullvad VPN — Pay with cash or crypto, no account required
↗ ProtonVPN — Switzerland, offers a free plan
↗ Lantern — specifically designed for censorship
↗ Psiphon — no registration required, works everywhere
CHAPTER 2. DNS—THE INVISIBLE SHIELD
[ НАСТРОЙКА / DoH / НСДИ ]
// What Is NSDI and Why Is It a Problem?
The National Domain Name System (NSDI) is the Russian equivalent of the DNS, which internet service providers are required to use. The addresses for YouTube, Telegram, and many media outlets have been removed from the NSDI. Changing your DNS server solves this problem in cases where the block is implemented via DNS.
// How to Set It Up — Step-by-Step Instructions
▸ Option 1: DNS over HTTPS (DoH) in the browser
▪ Firefox: Settings → Network → DNS over HTTPS → Cloudflare or dns.google
▪ Chrome/Edge: Settings → Secure DNS → select a provider
▸ Option 2: System DNS
▪ Windows: Control Panel → Network → IPv4 → DNS: 1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1
▪ macOS: System Preferences → Network → DNS → 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4
▪ Android 9+: Settings → Network → Private DNS → one.one.one.one
▪ iOS: DNS profile via the Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 app:
▸ Option 3: Custom DoH Service
↗ NextDNS — a customizable profile with filtering
↗ AdGuard DNS — Servers Around the World
↗ Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 — Mobile App
CHAPTER 3. BROWSERS AND EXTENSIONS
[ TOR / OPERA / BRAVE / РАСШИРЕНИЯ ]
// Browsers with built-in workarounds
▸ Tor Browser — Maximum Anonymity
Traffic passes through three encrypted nodes around the world. When you first launch the app, select “Configure Connection” → “Bypass Censorship” → the Snowflake or Obfs4 bridge.
↗ Download Tor Browser (only from the official website)
▪ The Snowflake bridge—it works via WebRTC, making it the hardest to block
▪ The meek-azure bridge — masquerades as Microsoft traffic
▸ Opera — Built-in Free VPN
Built-in VPN with no traffic limits. Can be enabled in the settings with a single click. Ideal for quick access without installing any add-ons.
▸ Brave — Tor in private tabs
"File" menu → "New Private Window with Tor" — Tor in its entirety, with no configuration required.
// Browser extensions
↗ Censor Tracker (Roskomsvoboda) — automatically bypasses blocks
↗ uBlock Origin — Blocks Trackers and Ads
↗ HTTPS Everywhere (EFF) — Force HTTPS
CHAPTER 4. ALTERNATIVE MESSAGING APPS
[ SIGNAL / DELTACHAT / SESSION / BRIAR / MATRIX ]
// When Telegram and WhatsApp Aren't Working
Throttling is a particularly insidious tactic: the service “works,” but files won’t download and calls can’t be made. A VPN solves the problem, but it needs to be turned on at all times. There are alternatives that are architecturally resistant to blocking.
▸ Signal — built-in censorship circumvention
Built-in censorship circumvention via domain fronting. Settings → Privacy → Advanced → Censorship Circumvention.
↗ Download Signal (Android / iOS / Desktop)
▸ DeltaChat — a messaging app that works on top of email
It uses the IMAP/SMTP email protocols. The government is unlikely to decide to shut down email entirely—it’s too important for business. It supports file transfers and calls via Jitsi.
↗ Download DeltaChat (all platforms)
▪ Use email services outside Russia: ProtonMail, Gmail, Mailbox.org
▪ End-to-end encryption via Autocrypt — emails are unreadable to the ISP
▸ Session — no phone number
A Signal fork that doesn't require a phone. A decentralized network of independent nodes. There is no central server that can be blocked.
↗ Download Session
▸ Briar — no internet at all
It works directly via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Tor. It's indispensable when the network is completely down.
▸ Matrix / Element — a decentralized network
Communicate through any compatible server, including your own. If matrix.org is blocked, use another instance.
↗ Download Element (Web / Desktop / Mobile)
CHAPTER 5. SPECIALIZED TOOLS
[ PSIPHON / LANTERN / TOR BRIDGES / I2P ]
▸ Psiphon — Automatic Protocol Selection
Designed specifically for countries with censorship. Automatically switches between VPN, SSH, and HTTP proxies. Funded by the Canadian government. No registration required.
↗ Download Psiphon (Android / iOS / Windows)
▸ Lantern — P2P Workaround
It uses a network of users from uncensored countries who share traffic. The Lampshade protocol is specifically designed to counter DPI.
▸ Orbot — Tor for Android
Routes all traffic from an Android device through the Tor network. Works with any app, not just the browser.
▸ I2P — an alternative anonymous network
A fully decentralized network built on top of the Internet. There are no known entry points—making it harder to block. For experienced users.
CHAPTER 6. ACCESS TO CONTENT
[ YOUTUBE / ТОРРЕНТЫ / СМИ ]
// YouTube — How to Watch
▸ Method 1: ReVanced Extended (Android)
A modified YouTube client with a built-in proxy. Watch YouTube directly without a VPN.
↗ ReVanced Extended — Download APK
▸ Method 2: Alternative Front Ends
↗ Invidious — an open-source YouTube interface without trackers
↗ Piped — a fast alternative with additional features
▸ Method 3: Downloading yt-dlp
Downloads videos from YouTube and 1,000+ other websites. Works through a VPN or proxy.
↗ yt-dlp — a versatile video downloader
// Independent Media — No VPN Required
▪ RSS readers work even when a website is blocked
↗ Inoreader — a powerful RSS reader
▪ Telegram bots for news outlets: Meduza, “Dozhd,” “Novaya Gazeta Europe”
▪ Publications' email newsletters — delivered straight to your inbox
// Torrents — The Renaissance of Offline Content
When online streaming isn't available, torrents come back into use. Rutracker and RuBT work through a VPN. Downloaded content is available without an internet connection.
↗ qBittorrent — the best ad-free torrent client
CHAPTER 7. SAFETY
[ ГИГИЕНА / КРИПТО / АККАУНТЫ ]
// Basic Digital Hygiene
▪ Use separate devices: keep personal communication and sensitive activities on different devices
▪ Do not use the same accounts both with and without a VPN—this can lead to de-anonymization
▪ Two-factor authentication via the app, not via SMS
↗ Aegis — a 2FA manager for Android
▪ Password manager — required
↗ Bitwarden is free and open-source
▪ Check if your data has been leaked:
// Cryptocurrencies for Paying for Services
Many foreign VPN and web hosting providers do not accept Russian credit cards due to sanctions. Cryptocurrency solves this problem.
▪ Monero (XMR) — offers maximum anonymity; accepted by Mullvad
▪ Bitcoin (BTC) — widely accepted, transactions are public
▪ USDT (TRC20) — a stablecoin that is convenient for transactions and free from volatility
↗ LocalMonero — P2P XMR exchange without KYC
// Opting Out of Government Services
The authorities are deliberately driving users into ecosystems under their control. A conscious refusal to participate is part of digital resistance.
▪ "Max" Messenger / VK — all content is accessible to law enforcement. NO.
▪ RuTube / VK Video is not an alternative to YouTube. Use Invidious or yt-dlp.
▪ Yandex.Mail / Mail.ru — stored on servers in the Russian Federation; accessible to the FSB upon request
↗ ProtonMail — encrypted email (Switzerland)
↗ Tutanota — a secure German email service
↗ Mailbox.org — a German privacy service
CHAPTER 8. GETTING STARTED
[ ЧТО УСТАНОВИТЬ ПРЯМО СЕЙЧАС ]
// Minimum duration: 10 minutes
For a beginner who wants immediate results:
▪ Opera or Brave browser — built-in VPN/Tor with no extra configuration required
▪ DNS: Enable DoH for 1.1.1.1 in your browser settings
▪ Psiphon — download it to your phone, launch it, and everything works automatically
▪ Censor Tracker Extension
// Advanced Plan — Complete Protection
For those who want reliability and independence from off-the-shelf services:
▪ VPS server for €3–5/month in the Netherlands, Germany, or Finland
↗ → Hetzner Cloud — one of the best options
▪ The 3x-ui panel — automatically creates VLESS/Reality configurations
▪ Hiddify Client (Android/Windows) — universal
▪ Tor Browser with Snowflake — in case the VPN gets blocked too
▪ Switch from Yandex Mail to ProtonMail or Tutanota
// Messaging Apps — The Basic Set
▪ Signal (main) — Enable censorship bypass in the settings
▪ DeltaChat (backup) — not affected by blocks
▪ Briar (extreme) — for situations without internet access
CONCLUSION
[ АДАПТИВНОСТЬ КАК ГЛАВНЫЙ НАВЫК ]
Digital resistance in 2026 isn’t about implementing a single program, but rather about constant adaptation. The government updates its blocking methods, and the community updates its circumvention tools. No single tool can guarantee 100 percent effectiveness forever.
The key principle is diversification. Don’t rely on a single tool. A VPN + a customized DNS + an alternative messaging app + Tor bridges as a backup will ensure access to information even in the face of aggressive blocking.
Most of the tools listed here were created by nonprofit organizations and anonymous developers. If you’re able to support them with a cryptocurrency donation, it’s a contribution to the overall infrastructure of a free internet.
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