Russian authorities have blocked access to websites and services… (доступ · оператор · иностранный)
Russian authorities have blocked access to websites and services banned in Russia for users with foreign SIM cards using roaming connections, effectively closing a previously used loophole. The measure applies the same filtering regime used domestically, targeting only sites restricted by law, while access remains to platforms that voluntarily ceased operations in Russia, such as Netflix and some foreign AI networks.
Consensus
- Access to websites and services blocked in Russia is now restricted for users with foreign SIM cards using roaming connections.
- The restriction applies the same filtering regime used within Russia to international roaming traffic.
- The measure targets only resources banned under Russian law, not those that voluntarily stopped operating in the country.
- Access remains available to platforms like Netflix and certain foreign AI networks that have self-imposed restrictions on access for Russian users.
- The Ministry of Digital Development (Minцифры) stated this approach is aimed at ensuring security in the digital space.
- Users previously used international roaming through foreign operators' infrastructure to bypass domestic blocks, but this method no longer works.
Points of divergence
- Approximately 2 million foreign SIM cards are held by Russians, with around 500,000 using them regularly for internet access. — tg_sotavisionmedia
- The restrictions began about one and a half weeks ago, and their nature depends on the operator according to analyst El'dar Murtazin. — vedomosti
- Preceding statements by Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin regarding 1.8 million Russians who self-imposed restrictions on mobile service contracts, with implementation set for September 1, 2025. — vesti
- Plans to restrict M2M SIM cards and eSIMs are being considered as part of anti-cyberfraud measures; all mobile devices entering Russia will now receive a unique 15-digit IMEI number for identification, with the relevant law approved by the Federation Council. — vm
Coverage (6 sources)
- Foreign SIM cards banned from accessing blocked websites — Дождь
- Russia blocks access to blocked sites via foreign SIM cards — SOTAvision
- Foreign SIM card owners lose access to unavailable resources in Russia — Ведомости
- Foreign SIM card owners will not be able to access blocked Russian resources — Вести
- Foreign roaming in Russia no longer bypasses blocks — Вечерняя Москва
- Foreign SIM card owners can no longer use roaming internet to access blocked sites and services — ТАСС (Telegram)