The kremlin Won’t Let Go: Digital Restrictions Follow russians Even Abroad

russians face restrictions on access to online services even while abroad – government portals, banking apps, marketplaces, and booking services stop working in Türkiye, Egypt, and Thailand. Problems arise both when connecting to hotel Wi-Fi and when using local mobile networks.

These restrictions stem from new requirements for russian online platforms, which oblige them to more actively counter the use of services designed to circumvent blocking. Due to the technical difficulty of distinguishing between “regular” foreign traffic and traffic using VPNs or other tools, companies are forced to block a significant portion of connections from abroad to avoid sanctions from regulators.

The scale of the phenomenon is growing. russians abroad are losing the ability to manage their trips and finances, access necessary information, and even book return tickets due to government restrictions.

The kremlin has taken such a liking to this digital “iron curtain” that it has decided to export it along with tourists, so that russians abroad do not relax and forget what “home-grown” restrictions on rights look like.