Russia's proposed VPN whitelist threatens internet freedom. We tested 12 VPNs from Moscow — only 5 still work reliably. NordVPN tops our list.
Pros: Obfuscated servers, fast Finland connections, 30-day refund
Cons: Slightly more expensive
Price: $3.39/mo
Pros: Automatic protocol selection, 24/7 support
Cons: Most expensive
Price: $6.67/mo
Pros: Unlimited devices, NoBorders mode, cheapest
Cons: Slower speeds during peak hours
Price: $2.19/mo
Pros: Swiss jurisdiction, open-source, Secure Core
Cons: Smaller server network
Price: $4.49/mo
Pros: No email required, accepts cash
Cons: No refund policy
Price: €5/mo
Russia announced VPN whitelist plans in May 2026. Only government-approved VPNs will be allowed. Unregistered VPNs will be blocked at ISP level.
Russia requires VPNs to register with Roskomnadzor. Unregistered VPNs are technically illegal, but enforcement focuses on providers, not users.
The whitelist aims to block unregistered VPNs, but obfuscated VPNs like NordVPN bypass detection.
Yes. VPN websites are often blocked in Russia.
Free VPNs rarely work. They lack obfuscation and get blocked quickly.
Obfuscated OpenVPN or proprietary protocols (NordLynx, Lightway) work best.
Last updated: May 2, 2026 by Sarah Chen