Which VPN provider should one use from Russia?

Question

I have some non-technical relatives in Russia, and they have started to feel the need to use a VPN for their average internet activities. Is there any recommended company to get a subscription from? I assume the sanctions will be a limiting factor in terms of variety and quality. Or is it better that I, as an outsider, pay the subscription and they just start using it from Russia? I hope we can keep the conversation non-political because I just want to help my relatives remain as free and informed as possible, despite the situation.So, which VPN provider should one use from Russia?

patrakov · Accepted Answer

I don't think there is a good answer to this - given that MasterCard and Visa are blocked, i.e. that one can't pay for the VPN without external help. Free VPN providers are going to be enumerated and blocked. I think the most practical solution would be to get Tor (email to gettor@torproject.org to get a personalized non-blocked download link, or get Orbot from F-Droid on Android while it still works), and use it with a non-public obfuscated bridge.
If you still have a foreign SIM card with sufficient balance (or can order one through Vietnam while paying with a Mir card), try to use it, this is also an effective (but expensive) censorship circumvention device even in mainland China.
P.S. I have already relocated to the Philippines, so the advice above does not apply to me.

unmole · Answer

You could just rent a cheap cloud server, install WireGuard and hand your relatives WireGuard QR codes.That's what I did to help my colleagues stuck in China.

cyounkins · Answer

I can't speak to availability from Russia, but Mullvad is frequently recommended.

willcipriano · Answer

I'd run this on AWS: https://github.com/StreisandEffect/streisand

hda111 · Answer

Not sure if it works within Russia but Mullvad is easy to use and has good mobile and desktop apps.

easrng · Answer

Tor, while not a VPN, is more likely to be able to connect out with bridges and pluggable transports like snowflake. Also, it's free.

yucky · Answer

AirVPN does not log and last I checked the warrant canary was still good.

kosasbest · Answer

Shadowsocks FTW https://shadowsocks.org/en/index.html

cf141q5325 · Answer

No commercial one given the legal situation. Self host something on a vps

MerelyMortal · Answer

Why do they feel the need to use a VPN?Is using a VPN going to paint a target on them?

subliminalpanda · Answer

Self host with algo vpn

Nasreddin_Hodja · Answer

Russians are more concerned with buckwheat price now rather than VPN.