Russia has confirmed that it is blocking the messaging app WhatsApp within its borders and asking Russian citizens to switch to the government-backed Max app. A few days ago, news emerged that Russian authorities were restricting the use of another instant messaging app, Telegram. The app has millions of users in Russia, including the military, top public officials, state media outlets, and government agencies such as the Kremlin and the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday that the reason for blocking WhatsApp was what he called illegal behavior by its parent company, without elaborating.

Peskov said: "Max is an alternative product on the market that can be used by citizens. It is a domestic instant messaging tool that is developing. Regarding the blocking of WhatsApp, our relevant departments have made it clear that this decision was made and implemented because the relevant companies refused to comply with the law."

WhatsApp is part of Meta, the company that also owns Facebook and Instagram.

Earlier on Thursday, WhatsApp issued a statement saying that the Russian government was "trying to completely block WhatsApp" and said the move was to "force people to use a state-controlled surveillance app."

The statement added: "Trying to deny access to private and secure communications services to more than 100 million users is a step backwards and will only make the safety of the Russian people even more insecure. We will continue to do everything we can to maintain users' communications connections."

CNN has contacted Meta to ask if WhatsApp is currently fully blocked in Russia.

On Thursday, some Russian users said they could use WhatsApp through a virtual private network (VPN). But the Kremlin has stepped up its crackdown on VPNs nationwide, including blocking 439 VPN services to prevent people from bypassing state controls. In September, a law banning the advertising of VPNs and other tools for bypassing social media blocks came into effect.

This is not the first time Russia has targeted the app. In August 2025, the Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, the federal agency responsible for supervising the country’s mass media, announced that it would restrict the video and voice calling functions of WhatsApp and Telegram on the grounds of “fighting criminals”. In response, WhatsApp accused Russia of trying to block its users from using the app.

Russia has previously banned Facebook, Instagram and X platforms.

Max is Russia's local instant messaging application. As part of an overall move to replace overseas platforms, Russia is pre-installing it on all new devices.

Max is built as a one-stop super application that integrates communications, calls, payments and other services. Users can use the application to complete identity authentication on government platforms that provide public services. Critics have raised concerns about Max's security and privacy, warning that the app has excessive tracking capabilities and lacks strong encryption.

On Tuesday, the Russian government said it would restrict the use of Telegram to "protect Russian citizens," accusing the app of refusing to block content that authorities deemed "criminal and terrorist."

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