- VPN
- VPN Privacy & Security
Amnezia VPN reports an "unprecedented" cyberoffensive on its infrastructure, marking a highly aggressive shift in Russia's censorship tactics.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future + Photo by Maksim Konstantinov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images + Photo by Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
- Copy link
- X
- Threads
- Amnezia VPN claims Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor is actively DDoS-attacking its infrastructure
- The attacks began in late May, leaving both Amnezia Free and Premium users unable to switch servers or establish stable connections.
- Other circumvention services like BlancVPN have also reported disruptions,
Russia's federal media censor, Roskomnadzor, is allegedly taking a much more hostile approach to internet censorship.
Instead of simply blocking virtual private networks (VPNs), the agency is now accused of launching active Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to take down VPN systems entirely.
The accusation comes from Amnezia VPN, a popular service that has been nearly non-functional for several days. The developers stated that the attacks have made it impossible for users to switch between servers, severely disrupting both its Free and Premium tiers.
According to a report by independent news outlet Meduza, Amnezia VPN users first started experiencing severe connection problems and app instability in late May. The service’s developers soon identified the cause, pointing the finger directly at Russian state censors.
"For the first time, we can state as fact that Roskomnadzor has begun not only blocking VPN servers but actively attacking our infrastructure," the developers announced. The agency has not commented on the allegations.
You may like-
Russia's censors want to block 92% of VPN apps by 2030
-
'VPN have adapted' — How these VPN services dodge Russia's censors
-
'The situation isn’t looking good' — Russia halts VPN fees, but the Kremlin's war against censorship circumvention tools doubles down
A coordinated cyberoffensive
The developers attributed the widespread outages to "an unprecedented DDoS attack amid the targeted blocking of a large array of Amnezia VPN IP addresses."
While Amnezia representatives first reported the targeted attack on June 1, they also noted that several other unnamed VPN services were "experiencing availability problems" around the same time.
An unprecedented DDoS attack"
Amnezia VPN
Although the team initially estimated that restoring the service would take only a few hours, the sheer scale of the disruption has dragged the recovery process out.
On June 4, the developers stated they were working to "find the most effective way to restore stable operation of the services" and emphasized that "work is continuing around the clock." Amnezia VPN has promised to compensate its Premium users for the downtime.
The escalating battle over Russian internet freedom
This is not an isolated incident. Amnezia VPN had previously experienced outages in mid-May, which it blamed on "mass blockings in connection with the actions of censors."
What to read next-
Russia's major internet services instructed on how to detect VPNs
-
Russia's major internet services instructed on how to detect VPNs
-
Russia moves to 'reduce VPN usage' with new blocking, fines and fees
Around the same time, Russian users also reported widespread issues with the MTProto cryptographic protocol, which is used by Telegram to bypass blocks.
Another popular service, BlancVPN, also suffered major disruptions in late May and early June, though it reported on June 4 that a large portion of its service had been restored.
A representative from BlancVPN told Meduza that the censorship landscape is rapidly deteriorating. They noted that there have been more blockings in 2026 than in 2025, and more in 2025 than in 2024.
As Roskomnadzor continues to refine its technical capabilities, VPN providers are forced to continuously develop new workarounds. This latest alleged shift from passive blocking to active DDoS attacks indicates that the battle for digital privacy in Russia is entering a new phase.
Rene MillmanContributing WriterRene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.
View MoreYou must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout Read more
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia's censors want to block 92% of VPN apps by 2030
VPN Privacy & Security
'VPN have adapted' — How these VPN services dodge Russia's censors
VPN Privacy & Security
'The situation isn’t looking good' — Russia halts VPN fees, but the Kremlin's war against censorship circumvention tools doubles down
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia's major internet services instructed on how to detect VPNs
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia's major internet services instructed on how to detect VPNs
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia moves to 'reduce VPN usage' with new blocking, fines and fees
VPN Privacy & Security
Moscow chokes international internet bandwidth in latest attack on Russian VPN users
VPN Privacy & Security
Detect, block, evade: how to survive Russia’s VPN crackdown
VPN Privacy & Security
'Switch to MAX, by any means necessary' — Inside Russia’s great internet crackdown
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia's state-backed MAX app may know if you are using a VPN to bypass censorship
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia’s crackdown on VPNs reaches new heights as internet restrictions intensify
VPN Services
Amnezia VPN drops new AmneziaWG 2.0 protocol as censorship tactics grow smarter
Latest in VPN Privacy & Security
VPN Privacy & Security
Japan is considering stronger age restrictions for social media use — but public response to the move hasn't been as positive as hoped
VPN Privacy & Security
FBI confirms 25 ransomware groups using First VPN’s now seized services
VPN Privacy & Security
Proton joins the backlash against Canada's surveillance bill
VPN Privacy & Security
Canada’s Bill C-22: Why Signal, Apple, and top VPNs are fighting the 'surveillance' law
VPN Privacy & Security
Polymarket blocks VPNs and tightens identity verification as over 30 countries ban the betting platform
VPN Privacy & Security
Canada vows to amend Bill C-22's encryption and metadata rules amid massive tech backlash
VPN Privacy & Security
Cybercriminals are using GTA 6 hype to spread malware ahead of launch, NordVPN warns
VPN Privacy & Security
Russia's censors want to block 92% of VPN apps by 2030
VPN Privacy & Security
Google joins privacy backlash and warns Canada Bill C-22 could 'break end-to-end encryption' and create a 'surveillance infrastructure'
VPN Privacy & Security
VPNs are not a 'threat' — industry hopes for an evidence-based outcome to UK online safety consultation
VPN Privacy & Security
'The internet is not connected' — Iran's 88-day blackout begins to lift, but traffic remains under 50%
VPN Privacy & Security
NordVPN wins crucial legal battle in Spain over La Liga piracy fines
Latest in News
Gaming
'Nintendo products are fully compliant with these requirements' — A new Nintendo Switch 2 model featuring a removable battery will be released in the EU soon to meet regulations
Security
Russian hackers attack Europe for the Motherland in crypto fueled Great Patriotic Cyber War
Gaming Industry
The Future Game Show Summer Showcase airs tomorrow and will offer an extended look at Exodus, plus new trailers and big game announcements — here's when you can tune in
Tech
iFi and AMR showcase DACs at hugely different price-points, only at High End Vienna
Phones
Exclusive: Fairphone CEO teases ‘two new products’ that will ‘really push the envelope’ for sustainable tech
Windows Laptops
New 8GB Windows 11 laptops from Dell, Acer and Microsoft have me worried
AI Platforms & Assistants
Anthropic wants to pause on AI development while we figure out what's next
Security
FIFA World Cup 2026 hype kicks off fraud, fake apps, and ransomware targeting fans and businesses
Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Using smart devices to cheat in exams is a growing global concern
Instagram
Instagram Plus launches globally with new subscription features
Consoles & PC
Valve's Steam Machine is coming this summer, but its price is still unknown
Speakers
Two of the most outrageous High End Vienna speakers we've ever seen just launched, and they sit at very opposite ends of the scale
LATEST ARTICLES- 1Russian Roskomnadzor accused of launching active DDoS attacks on VPN services — here's what we know so far
- 2FIFA World Cup 2026 hype kicks off fraud, fake apps, and ransomware targeting fans and businesses
- 3How to watch Spain vs England: Free Streams & TV Channels for Women's World Cup 2027 qualifier
- 4I test 4K Blu-ray for a living and these are the 4 discs I'm most looking forward to in June 2026 — one of which I think will be 'reference quality'
- 5Masters of the Universe director Travis Knight says we 'haven't seen the last of Skeletor' — and one of the new sci-fi fantasy movie's end credits scenes proves it