"YouTube has started to restrict access to some videos for Russians using bypass services."

      The video hosting service YouTube has started to restrict access to certain videos for Russian users using bypass services. This is reported by "Kommersant." A warning appears on the screen demanding the user to disable the bypass service. In some cases, new videos on channels stop displaying altogether. The restrictions primarily affect channels with international sports broadcasts and television premieres, where rights holders closely monitor exclusive showings. According to market participants, this is not a total block of all content for Russian IP addresses, but rather targeted control over compliance with regional licenses. "YouTube has always been relatively lenient towards bypassing geographical restrictions, but the streaming and digital broadcasting market has become too expensive, especially in sports, music broadcasts, TV content, and exclusive licenses," explained Damir Fayzullo, director of SMM and ORM at the PR Partner communication agency. According to him, YouTube will strengthen control over specific categories of content, but it is unlikely to impose a complete restriction for all users of bypass services. Lawyers note that when a viewer uses bypass means, they are effectively transferred to another jurisdiction and gain access to content for which rights were not acquired in their country. For the rights holder, this is a violation of licensing agreements and direct losses. By blocking such users, the platform removes the risk of legal claims. The mechanism of restrictions, according to specialists, is implemented not by countries, but by specific rights to specific content, which is why some users can access videos while others cannot.

      Recall that problems with YouTube in Russia began in the summer of 2024. By September, the speed of the video hosting service decreased tenfold compared to June of the same year. By the end of 2025, the platform's traffic in the country had decreased by 80%. In December 2025, the deputy chairman of the State Duma's committee on information policy, Andrey Svintsov, stated that YouTube would be completely restricted within the next 6-12 months, urging users and bloggers to switch to Russian video platforms. In February 2026, Roskomnadzor began blocking YouTube in Russia using the national domain name system, leaving access to the service only through means of bypassing restrictions.

      More news on the event:

      "Kommersant": YouTube has started to restrict access for Russians via VPN

      The video hosting service YouTube has begun to restrict access to certain videos for users from Russia using VPN services. 14:07 28.05.2026 IA Tatar-inform - Kazan

      "Ъ": YouTube has started to restrict access to some videos for Russians using bypass services

      The video hosting service YouTube has begun to restrict access to certain videos for Russian users using bypass services. 14:01 28.05.2026 Business Online - Kazan

      News from neighboring regions on the topic:

      YouTube has started to restrict access to videos with VPN

      Photo: depositphotos/pashapixel

      YouTube users in Russia have encountered access restrictions to a number of videos while VPN is enabled. 14:07 28.05.2026 M24.Ru - Moscow