Starting in early 2026, Russia quietly rolled out a major change to how its internet operates-at least for mobile users in 71 regions. In March, Moscow experienced over a week of mobile internet restrictions that blocked many foreign services entirely while keeping Russian giants like Sberbank, Gosuslugi (government services), and Yandex.Taxi fully accessible. This shift is driven by a new ”white list” system that locks down all online access by default, only allowing sites and apps explicitly approved by authorities.
From blacklists to whitelists: a reversed web filter
Until now, Russia’s internet censorship relied on blacklists-blocking specific ”undesirable” websites while leaving the rest of the web open. Think of it like a guest list with banned names: if you’re not on it, you get in. This approach let Roskomnadzor block individual platforms without affecting broader connectivity.
The new white list flips this model on its head. Instead of blocking a few sites, everything is blocked by default. Only services explicitly named on the pre-approved list can be accessed. It’s not about denying ”unwanted” visitors-it’s about locking down the whole venue and admitting only invited guests. That means popular global platforms like Google, Wikipedia, GitHub, YouTube, and many foreign apps are offline unless added to the list.
Technically, the system uses deep packet inspection (DPI) equipment installed at major ISPs since the 2019 ”sovereign internet” law. When instructed, this equipment filters traffic, allowing connections only to IP addresses and domains on the approved list. Other requests are silently dropped, showing users a generic ”site unavailable” message with no explanation.
Where the white list is active as of 2026
Testing began in fall 2025 across a few regions, expanding rapidly to cover 71 regions by mid-March 2026. Moscow’s lengthy mobile internet shutdown starting March 6 was reportedly the final field test for this system in Russia’s capital.
The government’s official rationale: mobile networks need to be restricted in ”risk zones” because drones rely on mobile internet for navigation. That’s why white list restrictions currently apply only to mobile internet-smartphones, SIM cards, and data connections. Fixed-line home internet and Wi-Fi remain untouched, confirmed by Russia’s Ministry of Digital Development, which called rumors of home internet restrictions ”fake news.”
Rumors surfaced in late March that Rostov-on-Don had activated white lists for fixed-line internet, but the Ministry of Digital Development debunked these claims as false.
Meanwhile, large Russian ISP Rostelecom stated that if state agencies order white lists on fixed-line networks, the operator will comply.
Legal framework and evolving policies in 2026
The white list system operates under firm legal backing. In February 2026, President Putin signed a law allowing Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to demand operators immediately suspend services without court orders, shielding operators from customer claims. Starting March 1, Government Resolution No. 1667 empowered Roskomnadzor to issue mandatory network security instructions to ISPs during perceived threats.
The first white list appeared in September 2025 and has been updated regularly every few months-November, December, February, and April 2026. As of early April, it includes over 120 approved services, with strict conditions for inclusion. Services must host all servers within Russia, implement the SORM surveillance system, and since March 2026, block users connecting via VPNs. Those refusing are removed from the list.
Which services are included in Russia’s white list
The full official white list remains unpublished, but public data from the Ministry of Digital Development, ISPs, and user observations reveal key trends. Only services deemed essential for life in Russia, with Russian infrastructure and compliance with security demands, are allowed. Foreign platforms without Russian servers are excluded by default.
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| Gosuslugi, Goskey | On list |
| Government websites | On list |
| Russian Post, Rosseti, Honest Sign | On list |
| Alfa-Bank, VTB, PSB, MTS Bank | On list |
| Sberbank, T-Bank | Probably on list |
| Central Bank of Russia, Mir payment system | On list |
| Megafon, MTS, Beeline, Rostelecom, T2 | On list |
| VK (VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, MAX) | On list |
| Telegram | Blocked |
| WhatsApp, Viber | Not on list |
| Wildberries (WB), Ozon, Yandex Market | On list |
| AliExpress | Uncertain |
| Yandex Taxi, Yandex Maps, 2GIS | On list |
| Russian Railways, tutu.ru, airline booking | On list |
| Delimobil, BelkaCar | On list |
| Yandex Lavka, Samokat, Sbermarket | On list |
| ”Vkusno i tochka” (former McDonald’s), Burger King | Probably on list |
| RuTube, VK Video, Okko, Kion | On list |
| TASS, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, Vedomosti, RBC | On list |
| YouTube, Netflix | Not on list |
| Yandex 360, Yandex Metrica | On list |
| GitHub, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 | Not on list |
| ChatGPT, Claude, DeepSeek | Not on list |
| Glucose and blood pressure monitoring systems | On list |
List compiled from public sources as of April 2026. The Russian Ministry does not publish an official registry.
Impact of the white list on work, businesses, and daily life
The March shutdown in Moscow illustrated how white list restrictions affect the economy and citizens. Estimates put the capital’s losses between 3 and 5 billion rubles ($40-$65 million) over five days. Delivery, ride-hailing, carsharing, and retail took the biggest hits as people couldn’t call cars, pay for goods, use banking apps, or navigate properly. Even pay-and-go public toilets stopped working without mobile internet.
Businesses face tougher challenges because many rely on foreign cloud-based tools excluded from the white list. Users lose mobile access to Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, Slack, foreign CRM systems, and GitHub during outages. Remote employees connected via mobile lose essential access. To stay operational, companies must switch to Russian alternatives or add backup wired connections.
Banking is another contentious point. Elvira Nabiullina, head of the Russian Central Bank, warned that inclusion in the white list grants unfair competitive advantages to banks on it, violating equal competition principles. At her comments’ time, only Alfa-Bank, VTB, and PSB were listed. The list has since grown, but fairness issues remain unresolved.
Detailed white list categories and examples
- Government and infrastructure: Gosuslugi, Goskey, Kremlin.ru, Government of Russia, State Duma, Federation Council, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Ministry, Prosecutor General’s Office, Federal Tax Service, Russian Post, Honest Sign, Rosseti, Public Housing and Utilities System, Electronic Voting, SKB Kontur, Tensor (SBIS), Explain.rf
- Banks and finance: Alfa-Bank, VTB, PSB, MTS Bank, Central Bank of Russia, Mir payment system, Moscow Exchange, (probable) Sberbank, T-Bank, Gazprombank, Rosselkhozbank, OTP Bank
- Telecom operators: Megafon, MTS, Beeline, T2, Rostelecom, SberMobile, T-Mobile, Dom.ru (ER-Telecom), Motiv
- Social networks and messengers: VKontakte, Odnoklassniki, Mail.ru, MAX, Zen*
- Marketplaces and retail: Wildberries, Ozon, Avito, MegaMarket, Yandex Market, Magnit, VkusVill, Detsky Mir, Dixy, Lenta*, Pyaterochka*
- Transport, maps, and carsharing: Yandex Maps, 2GIS, Yandex Taxi, Russian Railways (RZhD), tutu.ru, Aeroflot, Pobeda, Grand Service Express, Delimobil, BelkaCar, CityDrive, Yandex Drive
- Food delivery and couriers: Yandex Food, Samokat, Cooper (Sbermarket), Vkusno i Tochka, Burger King, CDEK, Delovye Linii
- Media, TV, and streaming: RIA Novosti, TASS, RBC, Izvestia, Kommersant, Vedomosti, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Argumenty i Fakty, Gazeta.ru, Lenta.ru, Moskovsky Komsomolets, Parliamentary Newspaper, Rambler, RuTube, VK Video, Okko, Kion, Yandex Music, VK Music
- Yandex services: Yandex Search, Yandex Mail, Yandex Disk*, Yandex 360*, Yandex Browser*, Gismeteo
- Healthcare (added April 1, 2026): FreeStyle LibreLink, Medtrum, M-Line, Satellite Online, DiaNyan, IoMT Istok, Inme
*Probable inclusion, unconfirmed officially. Compiled from Ministry of Digital Development, Megafon, ”Durov’s Code,” and RIA Novosti data as of April 2026.
FAQs about Russia’s white list system
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When will white lists apply to home internet?
The Ministry of Digital Development says white lists are limited to mobile networks due to drone navigation needs. Fixed-line internet is unaffected. Rumors about home internet restrictions in March 2026 were officially dismissed as fake. However, Rostelecom stated it would comply if ordered to implement white lists on fixed networks.
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Will YouTube remain accessible during mobile internet shutdowns?
No. YouTube is not on the white list because its servers are located outside Russia. Normally, it works with some slowdown in Russia, but during mobile restrictions, it becomes inaccessible.
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What about GitHub and developer tools?
GitHub is excluded from the white list, along with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Wikipedia, and most foreign work tools. During mobile internet restrictions, these services are unavailable. Developers should keep local copies of repositories and have backup wired internet for critical tasks.
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How does the white list technically work?
Major carriers have DPI equipment installed under Russia’s 2019 sovereign internet law. When restrictions apply, this equipment filters all traffic, allowing only connections to IPs and domains on the approved list. Other connections are blocked silently, showing ”site unavailable” with no error details.
How to prepare for white list restrictions today
- Download offline maps (like in 2GIS) that work completely without internet, including routes.
- Install apps from banks on the white list and verify they work. This is vital for users of smaller or foreign banks.
- Move essential work documents to Russian platforms or local storage to avoid dependence on Google Docs or OneDrive.
- Keep local backups of code and documentation if you use GitHub or foreign developer tools.
- Set up a backup wired internet connection if you work remotely and depend on foreign tools. Regional ISPs report 3-8% monthly growth in new fixed-line connections as users prepare for outages.
- Follow white list updates from the Ministry of Digital Development channels; the list evolves regularly with new additions possible if services comply with requirements.
Russia’s white list marks a substantial shift in internet access control, prioritizing Russian infrastructure and state oversight at the expense of foreign platforms. Outside Russia, tech giants and regulators are watching closely-if mobile-restricted internet becomes normalized, it could reshape how global internet services engage with tightly controlled digital environments. For users and businesses in Russia, adapting to this system will be a long-term necessity, redefining digital freedom, productivity, and competition.