Since August 2025, voice and video calls on WhatsApp and Telegram have been blocked in Russia. Text messaging still works, but calls won’t connect at all. Roskomnadzor, the Russian internet regulator, says the measure is about preventing fraud and security risks, but in practice it has disrupted one of the most common ways people stay in touch.
I’ve put together a detailed guide with the main options and alternatives that still work for making video calls to and from Russia — including VPNs, international platforms like Zoom or Google Meet, and local apps such as VK and Yandex. You can read it here:
Having explored all the VPNs I can confirm Windscribe is your best option here currently. However you must use the Stealth or WTunnel protocol. Cyberghost and Nord VPN are now completely blocked here.
Windscribe might be Ok, but it is based in Canada. Lately I don’t trust Canada for anything. But again - I can’t say 100%. For video calls, we usually just use Facetime. It works very well.
