Even if the service returns to the App Store under a different name
Even if the service returns to the App Store under a different name, after users reinstall it again, they will remain without push notifications, which will limit the functionality of messengers and other services. On June 25, Apple removed VK Group's applications from the App Store.
Consensus
- Apple removed multiple VK applications from the App Store on June 25, 2026.
- The removal occurred without prior warning.
- Services affected include VK, VK Messenger, Dzen, VK Video, VK Music, VK Znakomstva, Mail.ru, and Odnoklassniki.
- VK stated it was not under sanctions and had no prior notice from Apple.
- Users lost the ability to download or update apps and may lose push notifications.
- The applications remain available on Google Play.
Points of divergence
- The removal of VK apps was linked to European sanctions against VK and its role in online censorship, with the Foundation for Anti-Corruption (FBC) actively lobbying for these measures. — thebell
- Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the removal political censorship and a 'cleansing' of information space, stating no complaints were received from Apple. — kommersant
- The fact that VK apps remain in Google Play undermines the claim that sanctions are the sole reason for their removal from App Store. — vm
- Andrey Klishas, head of the Constitutional Law Committee in the State Duma, described the action as part of a hybrid war against Russian digital users and an attempt to undermine Russia's digital ecosystem success. — vedomosti
- Journalist Andrey Medvedev claimed the removal is part of psychological warfare aimed at pushing Russians toward unfriendly social networks, citing the concept of 'insurrectionary war'. — vesti
- Deputy Sergey Boyarsky accused Apple of causing systemic harm to Russian technology and called the action a form of digital genocide driven by Western hostility. — fontanka
Coverage (8 sources)
- Attack on Max. Who succeeded in removing the national messenger from the App Store and how will Russian authorities respond? — The Bell
- Zakharova calls the removal of VK apps from the App Store political censorship — Коммерсантъ
- Influencer Wylsacom claims removing VK from the App Store will hurt ordinary Russians — Вечерняя Москва
- Klishas considers the removal of VK from the App Store as an element of hybrid war against Russia — Ведомости
- Journalist Medvedev Explains VK's Removal from App Store as Part of Psychological Warfare — Вести
- Deputy Boyarsky Speculates on the Reasons for VK Services' Removal from the App Store — Фонтанка
- Kremlin Advises Russians on Dealing with VK Removal from App Store — Фонтанка
- State Duma Responds to Removal of Russian Apps from App Store — Вечерняя Москва
Key entities
- App
- VKontakte
- Russia
- Max
- Apple
- App Store
- Kremlin
- Dmitry Medvedev
- State Duma
- Maria Zakharov
- Sergey Boyarsky
- Moscow
- MID
- Telegram
- IT 'News'
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