Russia has been restricting the viewer’s access to YouTube. However, this move has caused a significant shift in online viewing habits, with more citizens turning to VKontakte (VK), Russia’s largest social media platform.

Monthly traffic skyrocketed

In December 2024, VK overtook YouTube in monthly web traffic within Russia, recording 92 million users compared to YouTube’s 90 million. This marked a major milestone for VK, as YouTube had long been one of the most popular platforms in the country.

Russia’s influence on YouTube

The restriction started during Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. The Kremlin has accused the platform of spreading anti-Russian narratives. YouTube has demonitized state-sponsored YouTube channels by then. Users then noticed changes in the platform, such as throttled video loading speeds by as much as 70%. Additionally, accessing YouTube in Russia now requires a virtual private network (VPN), creating further obstacles for users.

“Numerous violations of Russian legislation and disrespect for our country and citizens are grounds for taking action against YouTube,”  Roskomnadzor, a federal censorship agency, said.

These actions have caused many Russian internet users to migrate to VKontakte, which offers a similar mix of video, social networking and entertainment features tailored to the domestic market. VK, owned by Russian technology conglomerate VK Group, benefits from strong government support and a lack of restrictions compared to international platforms like YouTube.

Digital censorship

YouTube’s decline in Russie and VKontakte increased traffic reflects the ongoing digital censorship in the country. This aligns with the Kremlin’s broader goal of achieving “internet sovereignty,” which seeks to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign technology and media. However, critics worry that domestic platforms like VK are more susceptible to government oversight and control, potentially curbing free expression in Russia’s digital space.