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Report: Russia's national internet system blocks YouTube, WhatsApp, Radio Svoboda and other Western outlets

Настоящее время (Current Time) · February 12, 2026

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Summary

The broadcast reported that Russia's national internet system removed YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, Nastoyashchee Vremya, Radio Svoboda (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty), BBC and Deutsche Welle from access without VPN; WhatsApp said authorities tried to completely block the messenger.

The program reported that Russia's national internet system removed or made inaccessible a number of major foreign platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, BBC News, Deutsche Welle, and sites for Nastoyashchee Vremya and Radio Svoboda (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty). When users tried to reach some services without a VPN, they received messages that the sites do not exist.

WhatsApp told the program that Russian authorities had attempted to completely block the messenger in an effort that would steer users toward state-controlled apps that lack strong protections against surveillance. The broadcast also said that several bloggers and members of the Russian security and military community had complained to Roskomnadzor about service disruptions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying President Vladimir Putin "did not notice" problems in part because he uses secure communications. Sergey Mironov, leader of A Just Russia in the State Duma, spoke against the restrictions.

The segment did not report a judicial or legislative order for the block, and it relied on technical reports of inaccessibility, company statements and government comments. The program recommended viewers use the outlet's access app to watch without a VPN.