Finding a VPN that consistently works in Russia is mostly about censorship resistance and safe usage habits, not marketing claims about “fastest speeds.” In practice, you should plan for disruptions (apps removed from stores, protocols blocked, domains unavailable) and build a setup that can survive those changes.

Understand the environment (why “working in Russia” is different)

Russia has increasingly moved from blocking specific VPN brands to blocking VPN protocols and traffic patterns at the network level, which can cause a VPN to work one week and fail the next. Roskomsvoboda’s 2023 analysis describes protocol-level blocking, the use of DPI/TSPU, and notes that OpenVPN traffic can be relatively easy to detect (even with some obfuscation tools).​

What to look for in a VPN (selection criteria)

Anti-blocking / stealth capabilities

• Obfuscation/stealth: Look for “obfuscated servers,” “stealth mode,” or similar features that try to make VPN traffic look like normal HTTPS traffic; Roskomsvoboda notes obfuscation tools weren’t widely blocked at the time of its analysis, but also warns they may become targets.​
• Protocol flexibility: Prefer services with multiple protocols and the ability to switch quickly, because Russia has a history of protocol-level disruptions and coordinated ISP-level blocking.​
• Multiple access paths: The ability to connect in different ways (different server groups, different ports, different connection modes) reduces the “single point of failure” problem when one method is blocked.​

Privacy and trust signals (what actually matters)

• Independent verification: Give extra weight to providers that publish third-party audits of their no-logs/privacy claims, because audits are one of the few external checks users can rely on.
• Realistic “no-logs” framing: Understand that audit results are typically scoped and time-bounded (validated “as of” a date and within the audited systems), not a permanent guarantee.
• Minimal data collection: If your risk model is higher, you generally want providers that collect less account-identifying data and clearly explain retention.​

Usability under restrictions

• Alternative downloads: If app stores remove VPN apps, you need providers that offer reliable alternative download channels and clear setup instructions.​
• Manual configuration options: When a provider’s app is blocked or unstable, manual configs can be the difference between “works today” and “no access.”​

Rules for safe use (day-to-day operating rules)

Prepare backups in advance: Save installers, setup instructions, and (if you use them) manual configuration files securely before you need them, because access to VPN sites and app stores can be disrupted.​

Keep two profiles: One “fast default” and one “anti-blocking/stealth” profile so you can switch immediately during outages.​

Turn on a kill switch: A kill switch blocks internet traffic if the VPN disconnects, which helps prevent your real IP and traffic from leaking during brief drops.​

Do leak checks periodically: DNS leaks can reveal which websites you visit even while using a VPN, because DNS requests may go to your ISP rather than through the VPN tunnel.​

Separate identities if needed: Don’t mix high-risk browsing with personal accounts in the same browser profile/session, because logins and trackers can still identify you even if your IP changes.​

Technical limitations (what a VPN can’t guarantee)

• No “always works” promise: In a restrictive network environment, any VPN can be blocked or throttled, and availability can change quickly across regions/ISPs.
• Kill switches are not perfect: Independent testing has found many kill switches can fail in edge cases (for example, during system reboot scenarios), so you should not rely on it as your only safeguard.​
• VPN doesn’t secure the device: If your phone/PC is compromised (malware/spyware), a VPN won’t stop data theft happening on the device itself.​
• VPN doesn’t remove tracking: Websites and apps can still identify you via accounts, fingerprinting, and telemetry even when you use a VPN.​

Legal and policy limitations (how to think about risk)

This is not legal advice: Laws and enforcement practices can change, and risk depends on what you access and how you use tools.​

Information about circumvention can be targeted: Roskomsvoboda notes the government expanded Roskomnadzor’s ability to block information about circumvention tools, which can affect discoverability and access to working setups.​

Platform removals are part of the threat model: Roskomsvoboda describes requirements affecting app marketplaces and removals at Roskomnadzor requests (which can limit easy installation and updates).​

User data safety (how to protect your data)

• Prefer audited “no-logs” where possible: Examples include providers that publish recurring audit programs (Proton) and assurance assessments (NordVPN) to back privacy claims.
• Minimize account exposure: Consider how your account is tied to you (email identity, payment trail) and choose options that fit your personal risk tolerance.​
• Secure the endpoints: Use OS updates, strong device passcodes, full-disk encryption where available, and avoid unknown APKs/installer sources—especially when official stores remove apps and clones appear.