Meduza asked four experts to sketch three likely futures for VPNs in Russia. The best possible scenario may be the one Russians are already living in.

The struggle for VPN services to operate in Russia is intensifying, with monthly restrictions from Roskomnadzor pushing providers to innovate and raising costs for users, causing frustration and declining user numbers. Meduza enlisted four experts to envision three potential futures for VPNs, ranging from dire to hopeful. Surprisingly, the most optimistic outlook aligns with what many Russians are already experiencing: a more restricted but stable internet environment. This scenario underscores the ongoing tension between government control and digital freedom.