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Blocked on 14 March 2022 after Meta temporarily allowed some calls for violence against Russian soldiers. A Moscow court later banned Meta's Facebook and Instagram as 'extremist'.
- Status
- Banned
- Country
- Russia
- Category
- Apps & Websites
- Banned since
- 2022
- Last checked
- 02/11/2026
Yes. Instagram has been blocked in Russia since 14 March 2022. It was one of the most popular apps in the country, used by millions of people and small businesses, and the block hit Russian influencers, shops and creators overnight.
Why Russia blocked Instagram
On 10 March 2022, Reuters reported that Meta would temporarily allow users in some countries to post calls for violence against Russian soldiers in the context of the war in Ukraine. Meta later said the change applied only to people inside Ukraine and only to posts about the Russian military there. Russia’s response was swift: prosecutors opened a criminal case, Roskomnadzor announced it would block Instagram, and the block took effect on 14 March, ten days after Facebook was cut off.
Meta labelled ‘extremist’
On 21 March 2022, a Moscow court banned Meta’s Facebook and Instagram operations in Russia as “extremist activity”, with immediate effect. According to Al Jazeera, the ruling did not cover WhatsApp. Prosecutors indicated that ordinary people would not be prosecuted just for using Instagram, but businesses can no longer legally advertise on it.
What happened to Russian Instagram users
Instagram had been especially important for small businesses, bloggers and online shops, many of which sold directly through the app and lost their main sales channel overnight. Many users moved their audiences to Telegram or to Russian platforms such as VK. Others kept using Instagram through VPNs, and VPN demand in Russia soared in March 2022. Russia has since added more blocks and now restricts most major foreign platforms, including YouTube.
Instagram is also blocked in China and Iran. See everything Russia has banned, or our guide to countries where social media is banned.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Instagram banned in Russia?
Yes. Roskomnadzor blocked Instagram on 14 March 2022, and on 21 March 2022 a Moscow court banned Meta's Facebook and Instagram as extremist. It is still blocked.
Why was Instagram banned in Russia?
Russia acted after Meta temporarily allowed some posts in Ukraine calling for violence against Russian soldiers. Russia opened a criminal case against Meta and blocked Instagram.
Can you use Instagram in Russia with a VPN?
Many people do. Prosecutors said ordinary users would not be prosecuted simply for using Instagram, but businesses cannot legally advertise on it because Meta is classed as extremist.
What did Russian Instagram users switch to?
Many moved to Telegram and Russian platforms such as VK, while others kept using Instagram through VPNs.