Having trouble figuring out how to use Instagram in Russia? Russia’s far-reaching censorship policies have led to a recent ban of sites like Instagram and Facebook. But it’s still possible to use Instagram in Russia if you get a VPN (virtual private network).
With a premium VPN, you can continue to access your favorite social media platform regardless of censorship.
Here’s how to access Instagram in Russia:
- Go to Surfshark’s website and choose your preferred plan. Surfshark is our top VPN for accessing Instagram in Russia because of its robust unblocking capabilities.
- Download the Surfshark app onto your device.
- Log into your new account.
- Connect to a Surfshark server outside of Russia.
- Head over to Instagram and enjoy!
Surfshark has 3200+ servers worldwide, so you’ll easily find one that will not only give you great speeds but also allow you to access Instagram.
Surfshark
For full instructions on how to use Instagram in Russia on any device, read the article below!
Shortly after Facebook’s ban, Russia’s ban of Instagram soon followed. It came as a surprise to no one when the Roskomnadzor announced on March 11th, 2022, that the ban was due to posts encouraging violence against Russian soldiers.
While other censorship in Russia only blocks accounts from outside the country, the Russian Instagram ban blocks all access to the app. This means an estimated 80 million Russian Instagram users no longer have access to their Instagram accounts or other users’ accounts.
So, if you are one of those users or are traveling to the country and wondering how to use Instagram in Russia, we have a solution: a VPN.
With a VPN (virtual private network), you can bypass online restrictions and get back to using Instagram in minutes. We’ve tested a handful of VPNs, and Surfshark can still unblock Instagram in Russia. With its enhanced encryption features, your true IP and location will remain hidden.
Keep reading if you want to find out how to use a VPN to regain access to your Instagram account in Russia.
How to Access Instagram in Russia
The best way to access Instagram in Russia is a VPN. With a virtual private network, you can bypass geo-blocks and online restrictions and use your Instagram account freely.
To use Instagram in Russia with a VPN, just follow our quick guide below:
- Get a subscription with a VPN. Surfshark is our top choice for unblocking Instagram in Russia. Its NoBorders mode is adept at sidestepping restrictions in even the most heavily censored countries.
SurfsharkDeal Save 82% + 4 months free and pay only $1.99 a month!From$ 1.999.0- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
- Download the Surfshark VPN app onto your device.
- Log into your Surfshark account.
- Connect to a VPN server in another country. To avoid Instagram not working, we recommend choosing a country like the United States or the United Kingdom, where internet freedom is strong. We connected to a US VPN server to unblock Instagram in Russia.
- Use Instagram in Russia without restrictions!
It’s not just Instagram you can access with a VPN. You can also unblock Facebook or any other geo-restricted site. Even if the block is due to broadcasting rights or something else, you can still bypass it. Surfshark will let you watch any US streaming platform from Russia, for example.
We tested Surfshark to use Instagram in Russia, and it worked on both desktop and mobile devices. Right now, you can take 82% off your subscription using our time-limited discount, too!
Why is a VPN Important for Accessing Instagram in Russia?
Russia has a long history of censorship, but recent events have increased the country’s censorship policies. This was partly due to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 that pushed many to upload videos to social media to have their stories heard.
Instagram Reels from the war zone were being watched as the attack was happening, and the Russian government had less control over information making its way back to Russian citizens. Russia’s new law criminalized the spreading of “false information about the invasion of Ukraine.“
But if you’re wondering how to use Instagram in Russia, there is a way to unblock the platform. You just need a quality VPN to connect to Instagram.
A VPN changes your IP address to the VPN’s server IP address. So, if you’re in Russia and you connect to a VPN server in London, it looks like you’re connecting to Instagram from the United Kingdom. By changing your IP address, you can bypass internet censorship and access the platform or even get unbanned from Instagram.
The Best VPNs to Unblock Instagram in Russia
We’ve carefully tested a number of VPNs within Russia to check which providers still work. Right now, you can use one of our three best VPNs for Russia if you need to unblock Instagram.
1. Surfshark: Lowest-cost VPN for Russia when you need to access Instagram
- 3200+ worldwide servers outside Russia
- Low-cost subscriptions that cost less than a cup of coffee
- Unblock Instagram in Russia, plus news, streaming, and other social media sites abroad
- NoBorders mode can unblock websites in even the most restrictive countries
- Zero data logging and powerful encryption prevent you and your activity from being tracked online
Surfshark is one of the lowest-cost, premium VPN providers we’ve found. It’s often our go-to VPN service when we need to unblock websites within restrictive countries, which is why it made our list of the best VPNs for China, too. Its NoBorders mode is enabled by default when the service detects restrictions, so you’ll have the best chance of overcoming Russian social media blocks.
We tested Surfshark from Russia to access Instagram, and it let us use the app on desktop and mobile. While we didn’t encounter problems, the VPN’s network of 3200+ servers means you can try another one if your current server appears to be blocked. You’ll be protected throughout by AES 256-bit encryption and zero data logging, ensuring that you’re not tracked online.
You can get Surfshark for just $ 1.99 per month with our time-limited 82% discount. You’ll also get 30 days in which to change your mind – if you don’t like Surfshark, you’ll get a full refund.
Want to know more about our lowest-cost provider? Check out our detailed Surfshark review, which features the results of our speed tests, too!
2. NordVPN: The best VPN for Russia, though it suffered recent blocks
- Fastest VPN available – unblock Instagram in Russia, but enjoy high-quality US and UK streaming
- 6000+ servers to choose from across the world
- No activity logs and 256-bit data encryption to keep you anonymous
- Obfuscated servers and double VPN options increase security and unblocking capability
- Suffered recent blocks in Russia, but you can work around them
NordVPN is our top-rated VPN provider, whether that’s for unblocking, streaming, or anything else. But this service has had some teething issues in Russia lately, leading to many Reddit users claiming the service doesn’t work. It does – but you need to set it up correctly.
Hence, we recommend choosing obfuscated servers to ensure your VPN use is properly cloaked and can’t be blocked. This way, we could use NordVPN to unblock Instagram.
NordVPN uses powerful encryption and keeps no logs of data. This ensures your online anonymity. NordVPN also has other secure connection options, including split tunneling and double VPN, all of which can help you overcome Russian blocks. You can also get a dedicated IP address to reduce the chance that your server is flagged as a VPN connection.
NordVPN’s not quite as cheap as Surfshark, but it’s still highly affordable. With our 69% discount, prices start at just $ 2.99 per month. Like Surfshark, you’ll get a 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind!
Our NordVPN review contains a great deal more information on this VPN’s security features, as well as the results of our in-depth testing circuit.
3. Private Internet Access: A reliable Instagram VPN in Russia that typically works
- A vast network of thousands of servers across the globe
- No data logs and military-grade AES 256-bit encryption to secure your internet activity
- Can unblock Instagram reliably in Russia based on our tests and Reddit user feedback
- Fast connections for other activities, like US streaming, though not as quick as NordVPN
PIA has been a reliable VPN service for Russia since internet restrictions amped up. We’ve been able to unblock Instagram in Russia, as well as countless other websites like US streaming services – you can unblock US Netflix, too. We’ve also seen Reddit users leaning on Private Internet Access for a reliable VPN that still works in Russia.
One of the best parts of PIA is the server network. No other provider competes in terms of the sheer number of servers this VPN has – you can choose from thousands of servers worldwide. This massively increases your chance of dodging potentially blocked servers and finding working alternatives that’ll let you unblock Instagram or other social media and news sites.
Curious to learn more about PIA? You can check out our comprehensive Private Internet Access review for the speed test results, as well as for more details about this VPN’s features.
How We Chose the Best VPN for Instagram
Now that you know how to use Instagram in Russia with a VPN and we’ve discussed the best VPN providers, it is time to take a deep dive into how we selected the VPNs mentioned above.
Even in the most internet-free countries, there are a few must-haves for a quality VPN. These are even more important if you want to get the best VPN for Russia.
Since Russia is known for strong levels of censorship, any VPN you choose must have premium privacy, safety, and internet freedom. We considered these factors when choosing the best VPN to use Instagram in Russia:
- No data logging: If a VPN logs your data, your private information and identity could make their way to officials or cybercriminals. We only considered the best no-logs VPNs in our test circuit.
- Server locations with internet freedom in mind: It’s important to pick a VPN with server locations close enough to keep your speed, but in locations with more internet freedom than Russia. Places like Sweden, the UK, and the US are great server locations for optimum freedom.
- Strong encryption and VPN protocols: Your VPN has to circumvent geographical restrictions while keeping your information protected. This will let you view restricted content, like news websites and streaming services, without compromising your identity.
Can I Use a Free VPN to Access Instagram in Russia?
There are some good free VPN services that don’t risk your security, but many others aren’t fit for unblocking censored websites in Russia. This is because of several reasons, such as:
- They’re less likely to work. Users pile onto free services, increasing the chance that Russian authorities detect the connection as a VPN connection.
- They can risk your privacy. Many free VPN providers claim to be zero-log services when they’re not. Don’t risk having your activity and identity exposed.
Which VPNs Still Work in Russia?
Since Russia currently blocks many major VPN websites, downloading a VPN directly from the provider’s website is often difficult. We’ve completed some testing within the country and found several VPNs that are still currently available in Russia.
It is important to also note that PayPal and many credit cards are not currently working for Russian citizens due to various sanctions. Due to this, you will have to rely on alternative payment methods. Below are the VPNs currently available in Russia and the types of payment methods they accept.
- Surfshark: Webmoney, Qiwi, Unionpay, crypto
- NordVPN: Credit cards, crypto, PayPal, Amazon Pay, prepaid debit card
- Private Internet Access: Bitcoin, PayPal, Amazon Pay, gift cards
- Proton VPN: Credit card, PayPal
- ExpressVPN: Kiwi, UnionPay, Yandex.Money, credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, and many others
- PrivadoVPN: Credit card, PayPal
Important!
Bear in mind that Russia is actively trying to prevent VPN usage. Most VPN services are hit by blocks, before the provider manages to circumvent them again – no VPN service is exempt. We’re monitoring the situation and ensuring that we recommend VPN services that work at the time of testing.
Wrap-up: Access Instagram and Other Social Media Platforms in Russia
Russia’s censorship continues to expand in the wake of soured relationships with the West and various sanctions being placed on Russia. So far, the country has blocked or censored services, including TikTok, Facebook, Google, and Twitter, as well as others. This has led many people to wonder how to use Instagram in Russia along with these other platforms.
And the answer is simple: a top VPN provider. Without a premium VPN subscription, you’ll be blocked from Western news, social media platforms, and potentially other websites, too.
This is why a VPN is so important. It lets us keep the internet free and unrestricted. It helps us connect to those we love, regardless of any restrictions imposed from above. A VPN like Surfshark not only keeps your identity private but opens up the free internet by unblocking Instagram and other websites.
You can also check out our other guides to getting unbanned or unblocked from social media sites below!
- How to Access TikTok in Russia
- Censorship in Russia: Getting Around Restrictions
- Accessing WhatsApp Abroad: How to Circumvent Restrictions
If you have any questions about unblocking Instagram in Russia, check the section below to get answers to frequently asked questions!
Instagram was blocked in Russia because the Russian authorities deemed it to be spreading fake news about its invasion of Ukraine. This was a move designed by Kremlin to extend its reach to control the narrative surrounding the war.
Yes, you can! A VPN lets you unblock all restricted content and bypass censorship. You can unblock Instagram in Russia in just a few minutes by downloading Surfshark and getting a US IP address or one from another country outside of Russia.
Yes, you can. However, it’s generally not a wise idea, as a free VPN isn’t secure and offers limited bandwidth. This lack of security could mean that anything you do online can still be tracked by authorities.
Instead, you can use a free VPN to unlock access to a premium VPN provider, get a subscription, and then enjoy Instagram! For example, use Proton VPN to download Surfshark. Check our Proton VPN review for more information!
