To really understand Surfshark VPN and its connection to Russia, here’s the lowdown: Surfshark does not currently have physical servers in Russia. They pulled their servers out on March 2nd, 2022, because of the ongoing conflict and the demanding regulatory environment there. This means if you’re looking to get a Russian IP address through Surfshark to access local Russian content, that’s not something they offer. However, if you’re in Russia and need a reliable VPN to bypass local censorship and reach the global internet, Surfshark is still one of the few services that consistently manage to work. It’s built with strong security features like a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and obfuscation technology designed specifically to help users in highly restrictive countries connect safely and privately. Despite Russia’s increasing efforts to control internet access and block VPNs, Surfshark’s commitment to user privacy and robust technology helps it maintain connectivity for many. So, while you won’t be using Surfshark for a “Russia server,” it can be a vital tool for digital freedom from within Russia, offering good speeds and unlimited connections to its vast global network.
The internet in Russia has been changing pretty rapidly, with more and more restrictions popping up. It’s a tricky situation, and if you’re trying to stay connected to the wider world or just keep your online activities private while in the country, a VPN like Surfshark can be incredibly helpful. But there’s a lot of confusion out there, especially around whether Surfshark VPN has Russia servers or if it even works there anymore. Let’s clear things up and talk about what you need to know.
Why Russia’s Internet Landscape Is Tricky
Imagine the internet as this huge, open highway, right? For a while now, Russia has been building more and more roadblocks and detours on its section of that highway. This isn’t just about blocking a few websites. it’s a systematic effort to control the flow of information. We’ve seen major social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook get banned, alongside many independent news sources. This kind of censorship means that if you’re inside Russia, your access to global information, communication, and even entertainment is heavily restricted.
The government’s stance on VPNs has also gotten tougher. While using a VPN for personal reasons isn’t explicitly illegal for individual users, the government is actively trying to restrict VPN providers who don’t comply with their demands to block certain content. There were even discussions about a blanket VPN ban, with sources pointing to a possible implementation around March 1, 2024, although some VPNs still manage to connect. ISPs are also under pressure, with directives issued that require them to provide data that could potentially identify users accessing blocked content via VPNs. It’s like a constant game of cat and mouse, making it crucial to understand exactly what your VPN is doing and how it operates.
This is where a good VPN comes in. It helps you bypass these digital roadblocks, encrypt your internet traffic, and hide your online identity, essentially putting you on a private lane of that internet highway. For anyone in Russia wanting to access services, news, or social media outside the country, or for those outside Russia needing secure access to their usual online life while visiting, a VPN is almost a necessity.
Surfshark’s Server Strategy: No Russian Servers, But Still Works in Russia
Now, let’s get straight to the point about Surfshark Russian servers. As of March 2nd, 2022, Surfshark made the decision to remove all its physical servers from Russia. This was a direct response to the Russia-Ukraine war and the increasing demands from the Russian government for VPN providers to comply with local censorship laws. Many VPN providers faced a tough choice: either comply with government demands to restrict access to certain content and log user data, or leave the country to protect user privacy. Surfshark chose the latter.
Why You Can’t Just Download Surfshark on Roku
What does this mean for you?
- No Russian IP Address with Surfshark: If your goal is to get a Russian IP address – say, to access geo-restricted Russian streaming services or local websites that require a Russian IP – Surfshark won’t be able to help you with that directly. Since they don’t have servers in Russia, they can’t assign you a Russian IP.
- Surfshark Does Work in Russia to Access Outside Content: This is the crucial part. If you are inside Russia and want to connect to servers outside Russia to bypass local censorship, access international news, social media, or streaming platforms, then Surfshark VPN works in Russia. It’s one of the few premium VPNs that has shown consistent functionality there, even with the government’s blocking efforts. So, while it won’t help you look like you’re in Moscow, it will help you connect to New York, London, or Berlin from Moscow.
You might hear about “virtual servers” with some VPNs. Surfshark does use virtual locations in some countries where setting up physical servers is challenging. These appear to be in the chosen country but the physical hardware is elsewhere. However, for Russia, Surfshark completely removed its presence, so even virtual Russian servers aren’t an option through them. If you absolutely need a Russian IP address, you’d have to look at other providers like CyberGhost, Proton VPN, or PureVPN, which reportedly offer virtual Russian servers.
How Surfshark Navigates Restrictions in Russia
So, how does Surfshark manage to stay online for users in Russia when so many other services struggle or get blocked? It’s all about advanced technology designed to sneak past sophisticated internet censorship.
Setting Up Surfshark VPN on Your Router: Your Ultimate Home Network Protector
Obfuscation: The Stealth Mode for VPNs
One of Surfshark’s secret weapons is its Camouflage Mode, also known as obfuscation or NoBorders mode. Think of it like this: regular VPN traffic has a distinct “signature” that internet service providers ISPs and government firewalls can detect. When they spot this signature, they can block the connection. Obfuscation makes your VPN traffic look like regular, unencrypted internet traffic. It essentially disguises your VPN connection, making it much harder for deep packet inspection DPI systems to identify and block it. This is super important in places like Russia where internet surveillance is high. It’s a clever trick to ensure your connection remains private and uninterrupted.
Stealth Protocols for Tough Networks
Surfshark uses several robust VPN protocols, including WireGuard and OpenVPN.
- WireGuard: This protocol is known for its incredible speed and efficiency while maintaining strong security. It’s a newer protocol and often performs exceptionally well.
- OpenVPN: While sometimes a bit slower than WireGuard, OpenVPN is a highly respected and widely audited protocol, often recommended for its reliability and ability to bypass restrictions, especially when configured with TCP. Many experts suggest OpenVPN especially UDP or TCP for getting around blocks in restrictive countries, and it’s a common workaround when an automatic connection struggles.
Surfshark often defaults to the best protocol for your connection, but if you’re having trouble connecting in Russia, manually switching to a different protocol in the app settings usually OpenVPN can often resolve the issue.
A Global Network at Your Fingertips
Even without servers in Russia, Surfshark gives you a massive network to choose from. They boast over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. This extensive global coverage means you have a wide array of options to connect to a server in a nearby country, or further afield depending on the content you want to access. Having many servers helps distribute traffic, reducing congestion and improving speed, which is crucial for a smooth online experience. It also provides redundancy, so if one server gets blocked or experiences issues, you have plenty of other choices. Surfshark VPN Review UK: The Lowdown for 2025
Surfshark’s Commitment to Your Privacy and Security
When you’re dealing with a restrictive internet environment, privacy and security aren’t just features—they’re necessities. Surfshark puts a big emphasis on keeping your online life truly private.
A Strict No-Logs Policy, Verified by Experts
One of the most critical aspects of any VPN, especially for users in sensitive regions, is its no-logs policy. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they don’t track, collect, or store any information about your online activities. This includes your browsing history, IP addresses, session information, bandwidth used, or connection timestamps. They’re based in the Netherlands, a country without mandatory data retention laws, which helps support this policy.
What makes this even more trustworthy is that Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been independently audited multiple times by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” auditing firms. The most recent confirmation was in June 2025, where Deloitte reviewed their systems and internal processes, confirming that Surfshark doesn’t monitor what you do online and doesn’t keep logs of your activities. This kind of third-party verification is super important because it provides factual evidence, not just promises, that your data is safe. NordVPN vs. Surfshark: The Real Talk from Reddit and Beyond (2025 Edition)
RAM-Only Servers: Your Data Disappears
Surfshark uses 100% RAM-only servers. This might sound technical, but it’s a huge privacy booster. Traditional servers store data on hard drives, which can retain information even after being turned off. RAM-only servers, on the other hand, run entirely on volatile memory. This means that with every server reboot, all data is completely wiped clean. It’s an extra layer of security that ensures no persistent data remains on the servers, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to access user information, even if a server were physically seized.
The Essential Kill Switch
A kill switch is a non-negotiable feature for any serious VPN user, especially when connecting from a high-risk area. If your VPN connection unexpectedly drops for any reason maybe your internet flickers, or the VPN server experiences an issue, the kill switch automatically disconnects your device from the internet. Why is this important? Because without it, your real IP address and unencrypted internet traffic could be temporarily exposed to your ISP or other onlookers. The kill switch acts as a safety net, ensuring your privacy is maintained at all times, even during a momentary hiccup.
MultiHop Double VPN for Extra Layers
For those who want an extra layer of security and anonymity, Surfshark offers its MultiHop feature, also known as Dynamic MultiHop. This routes your internet traffic through two different VPN servers instead of just one. This essentially doubles the encryption and makes it even harder to trace your online activities back to you. It’s like taking two separate, winding detours to your destination instead of just one. While it might slightly reduce your speed, the added peace of mind can be well worth it for highly sensitive activities.
CleanWeb: Blocking Ads, Trackers, and Malware
Beyond just privacy, Surfshark also focuses on a cleaner, safer browsing experience with its CleanWeb feature. This tool actively blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the DNS level. Not only does this make your browsing faster and less annoying no more pop-ups!, but it also significantly enhances your security. By preventing trackers, it makes it harder for companies to build profiles based on your online habits. By blocking malicious sites, it helps protect you from phishing attempts and malware infections.
Review Surfshark VPN: Is It Really That Good in 2025?
Performance: Speed, Reliability, and Unlimited Connections
“Does Surfshark VPN slow down internet?” is a common question, and it’s a fair one. Any VPN will introduce some overhead because your data is being encrypted and routed through an extra server. However, premium VPNs like Surfshark are designed to minimize this impact.
Consistently Good Speeds
Based on recent tests, Surfshark generally offers good and reliable speeds, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. Many reviewers report strong download and upload speeds, even when connecting to distant servers. While you might see some speed reduction e.g., around 10-30% on average, though it varies widely based on your base connection, server distance, and protocol used, these speeds are usually more than enough for streaming in HD, online gaming, and everyday browsing without noticeable buffering or lag. Some tests even show minimal impact, with connections to US and UK servers retaining excellent speeds. If you’re using it to connect out of Russia, you’ll want to pick a server that’s geographically closer to you for the best performance.
Reliable Uptime
“Is Surfshark VPN down?” is another concern. The good news is that Surfshark generally maintains excellent uptime. While no online service can guarantee 100% uptime, Surfshark regularly monitors its network and addresses any issues promptly. If you ever experience connection problems, it’s often a localized issue like your specific internet provider, or a temporary server overload rather than a widespread Surfshark outage. In such cases, trying a different server or switching protocols usually resolves it.
Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
One of Surfshark’s standout features, and a major value proposition, is its unlimited simultaneous connections policy. Most VPNs limit you to a certain number of devices e.g., 5 or 7. With Surfshark, you can install and use the VPN on as many devices as you own—your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, router—all under a single subscription. This is incredibly convenient for families or individuals with multiple gadgets, ensuring everyone and everything stays protected. Surfshark vpn rabatt
The Legal Landscape and Your Safety in Russia Important Disclaimer
This is a really important section to talk about. While using a VPN in Russia for personal purposes is not explicitly illegal for individual users in 2025, the situation is increasingly complex and carries potential risks.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Targeting Providers, Not Users Mostly: The Russian government’s laws primarily target VPN providers and promoters who refuse to block government-banned websites. They’re trying to force VPN services to comply with their censorship demands.
- Increasing Restrictions: There’s a clear trend of tightening control. As of July 2025, new legislation has been passed that makes “knowingly searching for and accessing extremist materials,” including through VPN services, a misdemeanor offense. The definition of “extremist content” can be very broad, potentially including material critical of government actions.
- ISP Cooperation: ISPs are now being compelled to provide data that could identify users accessing blocked content via VPNs. While they claim this won’t include personal details, any network-level data like IP addresses and device identifiers could contribute to profiling users.
- Aggravating Factor: Using a VPN in the commission of a crime can now be considered an aggravating factor in Russia.
- Apple App Store Removals: In 2024, Apple removed popular VPN apps from the Russian App Store at the request of authorities. This can make it harder to download apps directly.
What This Means for You:
While many Russians continue to use VPNs, and direct penalties for individual users for simply using a non-government-approved VPN for general browsing are not common, the environment is becoming less predictable. The legal experts suggest that data from ISPs could potentially aid law enforcement. It is crucial to understand that while Surfshark provides strong technical protection, no VPN can offer 100% immunity from government surveillance or legal action, especially in a country with rapidly changing and strict internet laws.
Always exercise extreme caution and be aware of the potential risks if you choose to use a VPN in Russia. BestFree.nl does not encourage or endorse any illegal activities. This information is provided for educational purposes to help you understand the technical capabilities and the environment in which these tools operate.
How to Get and Use Surfshark in Russia
If you’re in Russia and decide to use Surfshark to access content outside the country, here’s a simple guide on how to get started:
- Subscribe to Surfshark: First, you’ll need a Surfshark subscription. One of the convenient things about Surfshark is that it accepts various payment methods, including cryptocurrencies, which can be helpful in regions where traditional payment methods like PayPal or major credit cards might be restricted.
- Download the App: Download the Surfshark VPN app onto your device. If you’re having trouble accessing the official website to download it due to blocks, you might need to use a temporary free VPN or download the app before entering Russia if possible. If you’re on Android, consider looking for the APK file from a trusted source, or on iOS, if the app isn’t in the App Store, using a different country’s App Store account might be an option.
- Install and Open: Install the app on your chosen devices and then open it up.
- Log In: Sign into your new Surfshark account.
- Choose a Server Outside Russia: This is key. Since Surfshark doesn’t have servers in Russia, you’ll select a server location in a country like the United States, the UK, Germany, or any other country where you want your online presence to appear.
- Connect: Hit the “Connect” button. The VPN will establish an encrypted connection.
- Troubleshooting If Needed: If you face connection issues, go to the app’s settings.
- Change Protocol: Try switching the VPN protocol. OpenVPN UDP or TCP is often recommended for getting around censorship.
- NoBorders/Camouflage Mode: Ensure that features like NoBorders or Camouflage Mode are enabled if available in your app’s settings. these are designed for restrictive networks.
- Try Different Servers: Don’t be afraid to try connecting to different servers outside Russia if one isn’t working well.
Remember, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so once you have your subscription, you can set it up on all your devices. Surfshark VPN: Your Ultimate Guide to Online Freedom
What if You Need a Russian IP Address?
Let’s say your specific need is to actually get a Russian IP address from outside Russia, perhaps to access services that are geographically restricted to Russia. As we’ve covered, Surfshark won’t be able to provide this, as they removed their servers from the country.
In that scenario, you would need to look at other VPN providers that do offer Russian servers. Some VPNs, like CyberGhost and Proton VPN, explicitly state they have virtual servers that provide Russian IP addresses. PureVPN is another option that claims to offer Russian servers. These services typically use virtual locations, meaning the physical server isn’t actually in Russia, but it’s configured to provide a Russian IP.
Always do your research on any VPN provider, especially if you’re looking for servers in a country with complex internet regulations. Look for clear statements on their server policies, privacy, and how they operate in such regions. Surfshark VPN: ¿Qué es, para qué sirve y por qué deberías usarlo?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Surfshark VPN have servers in Russia?
No, Surfshark VPN removed all its physical servers from Russia on March 2nd, 2022, due to the conflict and demanding regulations. Therefore, you cannot get a Russian IP address by connecting to Surfshark.
Is it safe to use Surfshark VPN in Russia?
Surfshark is designed with strong security features like a strict no-logs policy, RAM-only servers, and obfuscation Camouflage Mode, which help protect your privacy and bypass censorship while in Russia. However, the legal in Russia is complex and constantly , with increasing government efforts to control internet access and penalize certain VPN usage. While individual use isn’t explicitly illegal, caution is advised.
Will Surfshark VPN slow down my internet?
Like any VPN, Surfshark can introduce some speed reduction due to encryption and server routing. However, it’s generally considered a fast VPN, especially when using the WireGuard protocol. You can expect good speeds for streaming and browsing, though performance can vary based on your original internet speed, server distance, and chosen protocol. Unlocking Surfshark Automation with Python: Your Guide to Smarter VPN Control
Is Surfshark VPN legal in Russia?
Using a VPN for personal purposes in Russia is generally not illegal for individual users. However, Russian law targets VPN providers who do not comply with government demands to block certain content. Recent laws July 2025 also penalize “knowingly searching for and accessing extremist materials” through VPNs. The situation is restrictive, and while Surfshark is designed to work around these blocks, users should be aware of the potential risks and legal nuances.
What is Surfshark’s “no-logs” policy?
Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not collect, monitor, or store any information about your online activities, such as your browsing history, IP addresses, or connection timestamps. This policy has been independently audited and confirmed by Deloitte multiple times, most recently in June 2025.
Can I get a Russian IP address with Surfshark?
No, you cannot get a Russian IP address with Surfshark. Since they no longer operate physical servers in Russia, they cannot provide an IP address from within the country. If you need a Russian IP, you would need to look into other VPN providers that offer virtual Russian servers.
Level Up Your PS5: A Gamer’s Guide to Surfshark VPN|
0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. |
Amazon.com:
Check Amazon for Surfshark VPN in Latest Discussions & Reviews: |
Leave a Reply