VPN in Russian Clouds During Emergency Situations: Can You Still Access the Internet?

In the event of an unmanned threat, deploying a VPN in VK Cloud or Yandex Cloud will not provide full access to the global internet, as Russia’s sovereign internet system technically blocks VPN traffic even when servers are placed within Russian infrastructure. Access will remain limited primarily to Russian services from a “whitelist,” including VK Cloud and Yandex Cloud themselves, while international resources will remain blocked.

Contents

• Technical Implementation of Sovereign Internet in Russia
• Blocking of VPN Services and Protocols
• Features of VK and Yandex Clouds Under Restrictions
• Alternative Methods for Internet Access
• Practical Recommendations

---

Technical Implementation of Sovereign Internet in Russia

Russia has implemented a comprehensive internet traffic control system known as the “sovereign internet.” This system includes several key technical components:

• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Telecom operators are required to install equipment for deep traffic analysis, which can identify and block VPN connections source.

• Technical Means to Counter Threats (TSPU): Special equipment provided free of charge by the state allows for traffic filtering and restricting access to banned websites source.

• Centralized Management: In emergency situations, there is a provision to disconnect all connections to the world wide web and redirect traffic to internal resources source.

It is important to note that this system not only blocks external resources but also actively scans all traffic for the use of VPN protocols, regardless of where the server is deployed.

---

Blocking of VPN Services and Protocols

Russian authorities are actively fighting against VPN services using various blocking methods:

• Blocking Popular VPNs: In September 2022, several widely used VPN services were officially blocked, including ExpressVPN source.

• Targeted Protocol Blocking: Authorities block specific VPN protocols, including Wireguard, OpenVPN, IPSec, Shadowsocks, IKEv2 source.

• Mobile Restrictions: Many mobile users across the country report VPN service disruptions that affected all mobile carriers without exception source.

---

Features of VK and Yandex Clouds Under Restrictions

VK and Yandex Clouds have a special status in Russian internet infrastructure, but this does not make them completely free from restrictions:

Available Services

• VK and Yandex internal services continue to work even when mobile internet is disconnected
• Users can access cloud resources through the internal network
• Some Russian websites not on the “blacklist” remain accessible

VPN Limitations in Clouds

• Technical Identification: Telecom operators can determine if a user has a VPN enabled and block access to websites in certain circumstances source.

• Traffic Filtering: Even if a VPN server is deployed in VK Cloud or Yandex Cloud, traffic still passes through TSPU equipment that recognizes and blocks VPN protocols.

• Legal Restrictions: Russian cloud providers are required to comply with sovereign internet legislation and block prohibited content.

---

Alternative Methods for Internet Access

Although VPNs in Russian clouds do not provide full access to the global internet, there are some alternative approaches:

Partial Bypass Methods

• Using Proxy Servers: Some proxy services may remain operational longer than VPNs
• Specialized Tools: Services like Psiphon, Lantern, Tachyon attempt to bypass blocks, but their effectiveness is decreasing source.

Technical Limitations

• Sovereign Internet Tests: In some Russian regions, tests of disconnection from the global internet were conducted, in which even VPN applications did not help citizens bypass restrictions source.

---

Practical Recommendations

Based on the analysis of the situation, the following recommendations can be made:

What Can Be Tried

1. Deploying VPN in Russian Clouds: May provide access to some internal resources and services that remain available under restrictions.

2. Using Multiple Protocols: Experimenting with different VPN protocols may increase the chances of partial connection functionality.

3. Preparing Offline Resources: Downloading important information and tools in advance for offline work.

Realistic Expectations

• Limited Access: Even when using VPNs in Russian clouds, access to the global internet will be severely limited.
• Periodic Failures: The blocking system is constantly improving, leading to periodic failures of bypass tools.
• Legal Risks: Using VPNs to bypass restrictions may have legal consequences.

---

Sources

1. Russia cracks down on VPNs as restrictions on internet freedoms continue to increase - bne IntelliNews
2. How Russia’s New Internet Restrictions Work and How to Get Around Them - The Moscow Times
3. Russia disconnects several regions from the global internet to test its sovereign net - TechRadar
4. Experts say Kremlin’s censors testing new restrictions as Russian Internet users report VPN failures — Meduza
5. Russia intensifies clampdown on VPN protocols; mobile users left stranded - Bitdefender
6. Sovereign Internet Law adopted - IRIS Merlin
7. Sovereign Runet Law: Russia Considers Taking Control of Internet in Emergency Situations - Lexology
8. Autonomous Sovereign Internet in Russia - TAdviser
9. Russia’s ‘Sovereign Internet’ Law - Internet Society
10. Russia tests cutting off access to global web, and VPNs can’t get around it - PCMag

Conclusion

1. VPN in Russian clouds does not guarantee access to the global internet due to the technical features of the sovereign internet system, which actively blocks VPN traffic.

2. Access will be limited primarily to Russian services, including VK Cloud and Yandex Cloud themselves, as well as some websites from the “whitelist.”

3. Control technical means (DPI, TSPU) allow for the identification and blocking of VPN connections regardless of server location.

4. Alternative bypass methods exist, but their effectiveness is constantly decreasing as the blocking system improves.

5. The most realistic solution in the event of an unmanned threat is to prepare offline resources and rely on available Russian services that will continue to function even when mobile internet is disconnected.