Russian investigators have started to argue in court that suspects used VPN services or disappearing messages as a reason to keep them in custody, according to Eva Merkacheva, a member of the Presidential Human Rights Council, who spoke to the Fontanka news outlet on 27 October 2026.
Until now, custody decisions rested mainly on the gravity of the offence, the risk of flight and the risk of influencing the case. Merkacheva said prosecutors and courts now treat VPN use and disappearing messages as "conspiracy methods" that signal a danger to society.
Using a VPN is not in itself a criminal or administrative offence in Russia. However, since 1 September 2025 the country bans advertising of circumvention services, and authorities treat VPN use as an aggravating factor under the new Article 13.53 of the Administrative Code ("searching for knowingly extremist materials"). A MAR CONSULT survey from June 2026 cited by The Moscow Times found that 52% of respondents call themselves regular VPN users.
For VPN customers in Russia, the practical risk is no longer only a fine: using a VPN can now be cited against a person in criminal proceedings.
Sources: Moscow Times (Russian service), 28 Oct 2026; Pravda EN, 27 Oct 2026.