Russian Gov't Blocks 20 Mln IP Addresses To Ban Telegram, App Still Operational

After announcing the ban of encrypted messenger Telegram last Friday, Russian telecommunications watchdog Roskomnadzor began blocking the app Monday, April 16.

In order to ban access to the messenger, the authority has blocked nearly 20 mln Google and Amazon Internet Protocol addresses as of April 17, but Russia's Telegram users say that the app still works without applying any additional means of circumventing the block, such as proxy and VPN services.

While the crypto community's go-to messenger app is still operating in Russia, the users of dozens services, which are not related to Telegram, have complained about crashes associated with blocked IP addresses.

Viber messaging app experienced connectivity problems, which affected calls shortly after RKN began blocking.

These issues seem to come from connectivity problems to Amazon Web Services in Russia.

According to local news outlets TJournal and Mediazona, the users reported crashes of various services such as Microsoft and Windows updates; gaming platforms like Nintendo Switch, Playstation Network, Blizzard, and Xbox-Live; online games Wargaming and Guild Wars 2; Android apps client APK Mirror; video streaming services Netflix and Twitch.

Local media reported that RKN's blocking activity affected its own website.

Some services could suffer considerable losses due to network crashes allegedly caused by RKN. Skyeng online school could lose up to 30 mln rubles or $480,000 in one evening due to network failures.

According to local media outlet Meduza, about 60 local businesses including proxy services have sought legal assistance on the matter.

According to the head of RKN Aleksandr Zharov, the authority has managed to block 30 percent of Telegram networks, and the amount of complaints from services that have suffered as a result of the ban is "Quite low." RKN has also issued warnings to proxy and VPN service owners about upcoming bans citing "Extremism and calls for mass disturbances."