Fake Russian apps appear in App Store

Fake copies of deleted Russian applications have appeared in the App Store.

Consensus

Fake versions of previously removed Russian apps have emerged in the App Store.
One fake app mimics Rutube's name and logo but functions as a social media video downloader with ads.
Another app, VKI Video, is not a video hosting platform but a review-writing service.
Several apps imitate the Max Messenger and some have already been removed from the App Store.
The official press offices of Gazprom-Media Holding and Max Messenger denied any relation to the fake apps.
Apple removed VK-related apps from the App Store in June due to compliance with sanction rules.

The fake Rutube app reached first place in the Russian 'Entertainment' category ranking. — kommersant
VKI Video reached first place in the Russian 'Newspapers and Magazines' category ranking. — kommersant
Max Messenger app reached second place in the Russian 'Social Networks' category ranking. — kommersant
Business security consultant Alexey Lukatsky from Positive Technologies suggested the fake apps may be used for device compromise and data theft, or for ad revenue generation. — kommersant
No mention of app rankings in the Russian App Store. — tvrain
No mention of app rankings in the Russian App Store. — tg_tvrain