Russia moves to fully block WhatsApp, company says

WhatsApp said Russian authorities attempted to completely block its service nationwide, describing the move as an effort to push users toward a state-backed messaging platform.

"Today the Russian government attempted to fully block WhatsApp in an effort to drive people to a state-owned surveillance app. 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," the Meta-owned company said on X, Caliber.Az reports.

The announcement followed reports that the WhatsApp domain had been removed from Russia’s National Domain Name System (DNS). Under Russian law, telecommunications operators are required to rely on the state-controlled DNS database for domain name resolution. If a domain entry is altered or deleted, the website effectively becomes inaccessible to users within the country.

In addition to WhatsApp, several other major platforms — including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and a number of independent media outlets — were reportedly removed from the DNS registry, leading to widespread access disruptions.

The move marks the latest escalation in a series of restrictions targeting foreign technology platforms.

On February 10, Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor (RKN), confirmed it had begun slowing down Telegram. Users had already reported recurring service interruptions, including difficulties sending media files and text messages.

Audio and video calls on both Telegram and WhatsApp were blocked in August 2025. In October, users experienced the first major wave of traffic slowdowns, and restrictions have since reportedly resurfaced approximately twice a month. Authorities also blocked SMS-based authentication for several messaging services. In November 2025, Roskomnadzor acknowledged that WhatsApp had been blocked.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state news agency TASS that compliance with Russian law remains a precondition for lifting restrictions.

“This is a matter of compliance with the law. If Meta complies with it, it will enter into dialogue with the Russian authorities, and then there will be an opportunity to reach an agreement,” Peskov said. “If the corporation takes the same uncompromising position and shows a complete unwillingness to comply with Russian legislation, then there is no chance.”

Earlier, the Kremlin also expressed regret that Telegram has not complied with Russian legal requirements.

By Sabina Mammadli