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VPN without the boring parts
Surok writes about what people ask most: how to set up, why something won't open and how not to fall for a fake.
Surok Accelerator for YouTube: one button, no ads, 3 days free
Our new extension "Surok · Accelerator for YouTube" is out in the Chrome Web Store. One button and videos load instantly, ads are removed, other sites go direct. Here's how it works.
How to set up a VPN on your phone, computer and TV: one guide for every device
Step-by-step setup of Surok VPN on Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV and in the browser. Plus what to do if you are moving from Outline, Amnezia, BlancVPN, HideMy.name, Psiphon or free Proton.
Does Canva work in Russia in 2026? How to open it, sign up and pay for Pro with a VPN
Canva closed access for Russia in June 2022. How to open Canva in 2026 through a VPN, why sign-up fails, how to pay for Canva Pro without a Russian card and what to use instead if you don't want the hassle.
What is zapret, is it safe, and how is it different from a VPN?
Zapret explained in plain words: how it bypasses blocks without changing your IP, whether it's safe to install, where to download the real one, and when it won't help while a VPN will.
Docker Hub blocked in Russia: docker pull failing, mirrors and VPN in 2026
Docker Hub cut access from Russian addresses on 30 May 2024, then partly restored it. What to do when docker pull fails in 2026: registry mirrors, a VPN for the server and the laptop, daemon.json setup.
Does Figma work in Russia in 2026? Access, payment and when you need a VPN
Does Figma work in Russia in 2026, which accounts are frozen, why the site doesn't open on some ISPs without a VPN, how to pay for Professional and which VPN doesn't get in the way of editing.
How to use Midjourney in Russia in 2026: website, Discord, payment and VPN
How to use Midjourney from Russia in 2026: through the website or the blocked Discord, which VPN you need, how to pay without a Russian card and what to use instead if you don't want to pay.
Is Patreon blocked in Russia? How to open it, subscribe and get paid with a VPN in 2026
Patreon has been blocked by Roskomnadzor since August 2022. How to open Patreon from Russia in 2026, pay for a subscription without a Russian card, what happens with creator payouts and what to use instead.
Is SoundCloud blocked in Russia? How to listen and upload with a VPN in 2026
SoundCloud has been blocked by Roskomnadzor since 1 October 2022. How to open SoundCloud from Russia in 2026 on phone and PC, why the app "won't load", what works for uploads and the Go+ subscription.
Does Tinder work in Russia in 2026? How to log in and sign up with a VPN
Tinder left Russia in summer 2023. Does it work in 2026, does the site open, why registration with a Russian number fails, which VPN you need and what happens with geolocation.
VPN for traveling to Russia (2026): what won't work and what to install before you land
What stops working for tourists and expats in Russia in 2026: messengers, social networks, calls, mobile data with carrier whitelists. Which VPN to install in advance, how it behaves on Russian SIM cards and what it costs.
Does Xbox Game Pass work in Russia in 2026? How to buy it, change region and when you need a VPN
Microsoft hasn't sold Xbox Game Pass in Russia since 2022. How to subscribe in 2026: changing account region, codes and gift cards, payment, what works without a VPN on the console and when a VPN is needed on PC.
Free VPN for iPhone in Russia (2026): what actually works and what 'free' really costs
Which free VPNs for iPhone still work in Russia, why most App Store ones won't connect, what they do with your data, and how to get a working VPN free for three days with no card.
How to bypass mobile internet whitelists in Russia (2026): step by step on Android, iPhone and PC
A step-by-step guide to getting around carrier whitelists when mobile data only opens government services and banks. Why an ordinary VPN fails, which protocols pass, and how to set it up on Android, iPhone and a tethered computer.
Yandex outage, 11–12 October 2026: drone strikes on three data centres, what's down in Russia and whether a VPN helps
Three Yandex data centres were hit by drones in four days and the Vladimir site was shut down completely on 11 October. Which Yandex services and third-party Russian sites went down, what's back, when it will be fixed, and when a VPN actually helps.
Best VPN for Discord in Russia (2026): voice and calls on PC and phone
Discord has been blocked in Russia since October 2024. Which VPN you need so that not just messages but voice channels work, how to set it up on PC, Android and iPhone, why voice drops, and how a VPN compares to zapret.
VPN for Huawei and Honor without Google Play in Russia (2026): install and set up in five minutes
Huawei and Honor phones have no Google Play, so most VPN guides don't apply. How to install a working VPN via APK or AppGallery, what to do on a Huawei tablet, which profile to choose on mobile data and why free VPNs don't work there.
Best VPN for Instagram in Russia (2026): feed, Stories and Reels on Android and iPhone
Instagram has been blocked in Russia since March 2022. Which VPN makes the feed, Stories, Reels and DMs work without lag on phone and computer, how to turn it on on Android and iPhone, and why some VPNs open Instagram only halfway.
VPN for PUBG Mobile and PUBG on PC in Russia (2026): lower ping, change region, avoid bans
Why you'd want a VPN for PUBG Mobile and PUBG on PC, when it lowers ping and when it raises it, how to change region and get early events, whether PUBG works in Russia without a VPN, and how not to get banned. Setup on Android, iPhone and PC.
Best VPN for TikTok in Russia (2026): how to get new videos on iPhone and Android
Which VPN makes TikTok show new videos in Russia, why half of VPNs don't, how to set it up correctly on iPhone and Android, what it costs and what to do with your account.
Best VPN for WhatsApp in Russia (2026): messages and calls on Android and iPhone
WhatsApp in Russia hasn't worked without a VPN since February 2026, calls have been cut since August 2025. Which VPN gets messages sending and calls connecting, how to set it up on Android and iPhone, why the other person needs a VPN too, and whether WhatsApp can work without one.
VPN not working on MTS, Beeline, MegaFon or Tele2: why, and what to do in 2026
The VPN connects on Wi-Fi but not on MTS, Beeline, MegaFon or Tele2 mobile data. What each Russian carrier does, how to tell whitelists from DPI, and which VPN profile passes on each of them.
VPN for YouTube in Russia: which one to pick and how to turn it on in a minute
Which VPN you need so YouTube loads in 1080p and 4K again without the spinner: what to check before choosing, how to turn it on on a phone, computer and TV, what it costs and why free VPNs for YouTube don't work.
Does PlayStation Store work in Russia in 2026? PSN status, how people buy games, and whether you need a VPN
Sony closed the Russian PS Store on 10 March 2022, but PS4 and PS5 in Russia are alive. What works without workarounds, how Turkish accounts and top-ups via SBP work, where a VPN is needed and where it only gets in the way, and the risks.
Is Reddit banned in Russia? No, and here's why it sometimes won't load (2026)
Reddit isn't blocked in Russia, but there were two attempts: a one-day block in 2015 and a lawsuit in 2023. What access looks like now, why the site sometimes won't load, what happens to Reddit Premium, and when you need a VPN.
Does Threads work in Russia? Not without a VPN: why, and how to use it in 2026
Meta's Threads isn't in Russia's registry of banned sites, yet it won't open without a VPN. Why that is, what Roskomnadzor said, how to sign up and use Threads from Russia, and what the risks are.
Is Viber banned in Russia? Blocked since December 2024 and how to keep using it in 2026
Roskomnadzor blocked Viber on 13 December 2024. What exactly stops working, why, how the messenger opens through a VPN, what to switch to if you'd rather not bypass the block, and what happens to business accounts.
Is YouTube banned in Russia in 2026? What happened and how to watch it
The timeline from the 2024 "slowdown" to the domain vanishing from the national DNS in February 2026, what Roskomnadzor calls a block and what it doesn't, and what you actually need today to open YouTube in Russia.
Does Zoom work in Russia in 2026? Yes: what's limited, how to pay, and when you need a VPN
Zoom isn't blocked and opens without a VPN, but Russian cards can't pay for it, and sales to state organisations and universities are banned. What the free plan offers, how people pay for Pro from Russia, and the cases where a VPN is actually needed.
Apple Music in Russia after 1 April 2026: what happens to your subscription
Since 1 April 2026 Apple doesn't accept payments in Russia, so Apple Music subscriptions stop renewing. What happens to your subscription and library, and your options.
Copilot in Russia: Microsoft Copilot and GitHub Copilot in 2026
Copilot disappears from Windows for users in Russia, and GitHub Copilot isn't sold to Russia. What's available, the account risks, and alternatives.
Is Facebook banned in Russia? Yes — how to access it in 2026
Facebook has been blocked in Russia since March 2022 and Meta was designated extremist. Whether you can use Facebook, what ordinary users risk, and how to access the site and app.
Is FaceTime blocked in Russia? Yes — how to call in 2026
FaceTime calls don't connect, hang on Connecting or drop. FaceTime has been blocked in Russia since October 2025 — here's how to call from an iPhone.
Gmail not working: why emails don't arrive and what to do
Gmail won't open, emails don't arrive or the app doesn't refresh. Causes from phone settings and sync to access problems in Russia, and what helps.
Is Grok available in Russia? How to use Elon Musk's AI in 2026
xAI's Grok isn't built for users in Russia: sign-up may ask for a foreign number and Russian cards fail. How to use Grok from Russia and what you need.
How to watch YouTube in Russia without a VPN in 2026: what actually works
Can you watch YouTube in Russia without a VPN? Every popular method — zapret and GoodbyeDPI, alternative clients, extensions, DNS — and what works on a computer, phone and TV.
Is Notion available in Russia? Why it stopped and what to do with your data
Since 9 September 2024 Notion has blocked users in Russia because of US sanctions. What happened to accounts and workspaces, how to save your data, and alternatives.
Perplexity in Russia in 2026: does it work and how to pay for Pro
Perplexity, the AI search engine, opens from Russia without a VPN, but Pro can't be paid with a Russian card. What the free tier offers and when you still need a VPN.
Is Signal blocked in Russia? Yes — how to keep using it
Signal has been blocked in Russia since 9 August 2024. How to keep using it: the built-in censorship circumvention, Signal proxies and a VPN — and what to do about calls.
Suno in Russia in 2026: how to use it and why the site is flaky
Suno writes whole songs from a prompt. The site opens from Russia but is often unstable, and Russian cards can't pay for a subscription.
Is Twitter (X) banned in Russia? How to access it and sign up in 2026
Twitter, now X, has been blocked in Russia since March 2022. How to access X from Russia, sign up, why it asks for a phone number, and what to do if your account is restricted.
VPN for Android TV: how to download and install it on a TV or box
How to put a VPN on an Android TV or Google TV set or box: install from Google Play or as an APK, sign in without a keyboard, and set it up so YouTube doesn't buffer.
Is VPN illegal in Russia in 2026? What's allowed and what gets fined
Is it legal to use a VPN in Russia? What the law says in 2026: using a VPN, the fines introduced on 1 September 2025, what counts as VPN advertising, and searching for banned materials.
All traffic through a VPN or just some apps: setting up split tunnelling
Should everything go through the VPN or only YouTube, Telegram and blocked sites? What split tunnelling is, which apps to route through the VPN and which directly, and how to set it up.
How to play Minecraft through Radmin VPN: step by step
How to play Minecraft with a friend over Radmin VPN: create a network, open your world to LAN, connect by IP — plus fixes when your friend can't see the world.
Working through a VPN: remote work, a work VPN and a personal one together
Working remotely with a corporate VPN, but need a personal one for YouTube and Telegram? How to combine them, why they conflict, and what not to do through a work VPN.
A VPN through phone settings: why the section is empty and how to connect
Android and iPhone settings have a VPN section, but there's nothing to switch on. What it's for, why built-in protocols don't work in Russia, and how to connect properly.
A VPN via an app, a bot, the browser or a router: which way to choose
You can connect a VPN as an app, through a Telegram bot, as a browser extension, on a router, or as a Telegram-only proxy. A comparison and which suits you.
A VPN through a website without installing anything: does it work and is it safe
Online “VPN” sites let you enter an address and open a page without installing anything. How web proxies work, why YouTube doesn't play through them, and why you shouldn't type passwords there.
A VPN through your phone: turning it on and sharing it with a laptop or TV
How to connect a VPN on Android and iPhone, and whether you can share it over Wi-Fi with a laptop or TV. Why a normal hotspot bypasses the VPN and what to do.
A VPN through Telegram: how VPN bots work and how not to get scammed
Many VPNs are now sold through a Telegram bot. How it works, whether you need to install anything, how to tell an honest bot from a scam, and what Surok's bot does.
App Store not working in Russia: downloads fail and payments don't go through
The App Store won't open or download apps, and purchases fail. What changed in Russia on 1 April 2026, why VPN apps disappeared, and what you can do.
Does DeepSeek work in Russia? Outages vs blocks and what to do
DeepSeek won't open, answers slowly or says the server is busy. What happened with DeepSeek in Russia in 2026, how to tell overload from an access problem, and what helps.
Karing: what it is and how to set up a VPN with it in 2026
Karing is a free client for VPN subscriptions on Windows, macOS, Android and iPhone. What it does, where to get it, how to add a subscription, and why it doesn't give you a VPN by itself.
Is LinkedIn banned in Russia? How to access it and sign up in 2026
LinkedIn has been blocked in Russia since 2016. How to use it from Russia, sign up, keep your account safe and handle the mobile app.
Mobile internet not working: causes and fixes (MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, T2)
The signal is there but sites won't open, or only some apps work. Causes — from balance and settings to shutdowns and whitelists — and what to do in each case.
NekoBox: how to download and set up a VPN on Android and PC
NekoBox is a popular client for VLESS subscriptions. Where to get the real NekoBox for Android, what happened to the PC version, how to add a subscription and what to do if it won't connect.
A VPN for your PC in 2026: what works in Russia and what to pick for free
Looking for a VPN for your computer? Which PC VPNs work in Russia in 2026, app vs browser extension, the catch with free VPNs, and how to connect in a couple of minutes.
How to set up a VPN on a router: Keenetic, OpenWrt and others in 2026
A router VPN covers every device at home, including the TV. Which routers fit, why built-in OpenVPN and WireGuard often fail in Russia, and how to run VLESS on Keenetic and OpenWrt.
WireGuard not working in Russia: why, and what to replace it with
WireGuard connects but nothing loads, or won't connect at all. Why WireGuard is blocked in Russia, whether AmneziaWG or changing the port helps, and which protocol to switch to.
How to watch YouTube on your TV in Russia in 2026
YouTube on the TV buffers or won't open. Five working ways to watch YouTube on a Smart TV in Russia — from a box and a router to mirroring your phone.
YouTube not working on your phone: why videos won't load and what to do
YouTube on the phone won't open, videos buffer or play in low quality. Causes on Android and iPhone — from throttling in Russia to app cache — and how to get normal video back.
Internet whitelists in Russia: what they are and how bypassing works
Whitelists are a mode in which only approved sites and apps work on mobile internet. How it works, what's usually on the list and why an ordinary VPN doesn't work under whitelists.
Epic Games not working in Russia: launcher, Fortnite and game servers
The Epic Games Launcher won't start, Fortnite can't reach servers, games show connection errors. What's happening with Epic Games and foreign game servers in Russia in 2026, and what helps.
Is Netflix available in Russia? How to watch in 2026
Netflix left Russia in 2022: you can't subscribe with a Russian card and part of the catalogue is unavailable. How to watch from Russia, handle your account and payment, and why you need a VPN.
Google Play not working: why apps won't download and what to do
Google Play won't open, shows an error, or won't download or update apps. Causes from cache and account issues to payments and restrictions in Russia, and what helps.
How much a VPN costs in 2026 and what you actually pay for
VPN prices in 2026: free ones, subscriptions from $1 to $12, the App Store markup, per-device pricing versus "premium" tiers. What the price is made of and where you overpay.
Is Snapchat banned in Russia? Yes — here's how to get in
Snapchat won't open, send snaps or load stories. When and why Roskomnadzor blocked Snapchat and FaceTime, and what you need to make the app work again.
Is Twitch banned in Russia? Why streams won't load and what to do
Twitch won't open or streams buffer. What happened with Twitch in Russia in 2026, how to tell an outage from an ISP problem, and how to get smooth video back.
VPN not working on an Android phone: causes and fixes
The VPN on Android won't connect, hangs or is on but nothing loads. Causes from a blocked protocol and battery saving to carrier allow-lists, and what to do.
VPN not working over Wi-Fi: why it works on mobile data but not at home
The VPN works on mobile data but won't connect or keeps dropping on home or office Wi-Fi. Causes from the router and ISP to network settings, and what to do.
Is WhatsApp banned in Russia? Why it's not working in 2026 and what to do on Android and iPhone
WhatsApp in Russia has been unavailable without a VPN since February 2026, after calls were cut in August 2025. What exactly is blocked, how to tell the block from a phone problem, and what to do in each case.
Is Claude available in Russia? How to sign up and use it in 2026
Claude doesn't open from Russian addresses and doesn't accept Russian phone numbers. What you need to register, how the free tier works, why accounts get banned and how to avoid it.
Is Gemini available in Russia? Why it fails even with a VPN
Gemini is unavailable from Russian addresses, and since August 2026 it stopped opening through VPNs for many users. How Google detects the country and what you need to make it work.
Why your VPN isn't working today: find the cause in five minutes
The VPN worked yesterday and today it won't connect. How to tell a blocked protocol from a server outage, carrier restrictions and phone settings.
Is Steam banned in Russia? Outages vs blocks and what to do
Steam won't open, the store doesn't load or it can't connect. What happened with Steam in Russia in 2026, how to tell a global outage from an ISP problem, and how to get back in.
Telegram not working even with a VPN: causes and fixes
The VPN is on but Telegram hangs on Connecting, won't send messages or load media. Causes — from an old proxy in settings to a blocked protocol — and a simple way to do without a VPN.
Is Telegram banned in Russia? Why it's not working in 2026 and what to do, including with a VPN
Roskomnadzor has been throttling Telegram across Russia since February 2026. How to tell the throttling from a global outage or a local problem, and what to do if Telegram doesn't work even with a VPN.
VPN on mobile data: why it works at home and dies on the carrier
Mobile carrier whitelists: what they are, why a VPN works on Wi-Fi and fails on mobile data, and which connection type passes through Russian mobile carriers.
VPN not working on iPhone in Russia: causes and fixes for 2026
The VPN on your iPhone hangs on Connecting or is on but nothing loads. The causes — from a blocked protocol to apps removed from the App Store — and what to do.
Why your VPN keeps disconnecting on the phone and how to fix it
The VPN turns itself off: when the screen locks, when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data, or just after a few minutes. Causes on iPhone and Android and the settings that fix them.
Is Discord blocked in Russia? Yes — what to do when even zapret doesn't help
Discord won't start, hangs on checking for updates, can't join voice channels or stopped working with zapret. Causes and fixes for both chat and voice.
Is Instagram banned in Russia? Why it fails even with a VPN and how to fix it
The VPN is on but Instagram won't refresh, load stories or keeps asking you to log in. Seven causes and how to fix them.
How to turn on a VPN on your phone, computer and browser
A plain guide for first-timers: Android, iPhone, Windows, Mac and the browser. What to download, what to tap, how to check it works.
A personal Telegram proxy from Surok: Telegram works with the VPN switched off
Every Surok subscription now includes a personal proxy for Telegram. One button in the bot, works on phone and desktop with no VPN running. How to get it, what it does and what it doesn't.
Is Roblox banned in Russia? The 2025–26 block, outages and what to do
Roblox won't start or shows a connection error. What happened with Roblox in Russia in 2025–2026, how to tell an outage from restrictions, and what helps.
Is Spotify banned in Russia? How to listen in 2026
Spotify left Russia, the app is gone from local stores and accounts ask to log in from their country. How to listen from Russia and what's up with Premium.
Does TikTok work in Russia in 2026? Why a VPN alone doesn't help
TikTok shows only old videos and a VPN changes nothing. How TikTok detects that you're in Russia and what works on Android and iPhone.
How to tell your VPN leaks your IP or DNS: a two-minute check
Three kinds of leaks with a VPN on: IP, DNS and WebRTC. How to check each without installing anything, what the results mean, and how to close leaks on phone and computer.
How to set up a VPN on a Samsung or LG TV: four working ways
Samsung and LG TVs have no VPN apps in their stores. Four ways to put the TV behind a VPN — router, PC hotspot, Android box and screen mirroring.
YouTube not working even with a VPN: 7 reasons and fixes
The VPN is on but YouTube still won't open or videos won't load. Seven causes — from the protocol and split tunnelling to the app's cache — and how to check each.
AdGuard VPN in Russia: does it work, what does it cost, and alternatives
AdGuard VPN comes from the makers of the AdGuard ad blocker. How it works, the free plan's limits, how to check whether it works for you and what to look for in an alternative for Russia.
Free VPN for Android: what you really pay with, and honest options
Free VPN for Android" is the most popular VPN search. How free services make money, their risks, why they often fail in Russia and how to use a VPN for free safely.
Does ChatGPT work in Russia? Access, the app and avoiding scams in 2026
ChatGPT doesn't work from Russian IP addresses — OpenAI itself restricts it. How to use ChatGPT from Russia, install the app and why cheap "shared subscriptions" are risky.
Discord and YouTube in Russia: zapret or a VPN?
Discord is blocked in Russia and YouTube is throttled. Many people use zapret, others a VPN. How zapret works, where it shines and where it falls short compared to a VPN.
Free VPN: which free VPNs are safe and why most don't work in Russia
The four kinds of free VPN, how they make money, which are safe and which to avoid, and what actually works in Russia.
Happ on PC: how to download and set it up on Windows and Mac
Happ isn't only for phones. Where to download Happ for a computer, how to add a subscription, route the whole system through the VPN, and what to do if Happ on PC won't connect.
Radmin VPN: what it is, how it works and why it doesn't bypass blocks
Radmin VPN is a popular free program, but it's not the kind of VPN that opens YouTube or Instagram. What Radmin VPN is for, how to set it up for LAN gaming, and what to use to bypass blocks.
A Russian-language VPN for Android: how to choose and download one in 2026
Looking for an Android VPN in Russian, with payment in rubles and support that answers in Russian? What a "Russian VPN" really means, how to choose one, where to download it safely and how to set it up in minutes.
VLESS, Reality and XHTTP in plain words: why they work where WireGuard goes silent
What VLESS, Reality and XHTTP are without jargon, how they differ from OpenVPN and WireGuard, and what to check when "VLESS doesn't work" on your carrier.
An Android VPN without sign-up: download and connect in a minute
Don't want an account, a password and an email just for a VPN? The kinds of "no sign-up" VPNs, their catches, and how to connect on Android in one tap without email or password.
zapret-discord-youtube from GitHub: download, install and fix common errors
A step-by-step guide to zapret for Discord and YouTube on Windows — where to download it on GitHub, how to run it, what to do if it doesn't work or your antivirus complains, and when a VPN is the better choice.
Can my ISP see which sites I visit: without a VPN, with a VPN, with DoH
What exactly your internet provider knows about the sites you visit in 2026: DNS, SNI, addresses. What a VPN hides, what encrypted DNS hides, and where traces remain regardless.
How to speed up YouTube in your browser in a minute
Installing "Surok · Accelerator for YouTube" in Chrome, Yandex Browser or Edge, granting access, turning on acceleration and the ad blocker, plus common questions.
Which VPN works in Russia in 2026: signs, not brands
Best VPN" lists go stale in a week. Seven signs that tell you whether a service will keep working in Russia in 2026, checkable before you pay.
BlancVPN not working: what to check and what to use instead
BlancVPN won't connect, connects without internet or is very slow. A step-by-step checklist — from subscription to mobile carrier — and what to do if nothing helps.
Two VPNs on one phone: why the second one fails and how to switch
Android and iPhone hold a single VPN tunnel. What happens when you turn on a second one, how to tell that another VPN is in the way, and how to switch between services quickly.
“Something went wrong” and other YouTube errors: what they mean and how to fix them
“Connection lost”, “An error occurred. Please try again”, endless loading and a black screen. Common YouTube errors on phone and computer and what to do about each.
Why YouTube is slow in Russia and how to fix it
Videos take a minute to start, quality drops to 360p, thumbnails don't load. Where the YouTube slowdown in Russia comes from and which fixes actually work in 2026.
Proxy for Telegram: MTProto, SOCKS5 or VPN — which to choose
Telegram's built-in proxies are free and take two taps to set up, but they have limits. Comparing MTProto, SOCKS5 and VPN on reliability, speed, calls and security.
Telegram won't load photos and videos: causes and fixes
Messages arrive but Telegram photos and videos keep spinning or never open. Seven causes, from phone storage to carrier restrictions, and what to do about each.
How to watch YouTube without ads: an honest look at the options
Premium, extensions, alternative apps, DNS-level and VPN blocking. What actually removes ads from YouTube videos in 2026 and what only cleans up the banners around them.
YouTube not working on your TV: what to do
The YouTube app on a Smart TV won't open, videos spin forever or show "No connection". Causes for Samsung, LG, Android TV and set-top boxes, and how to get normal speed back.
YouBoost not working or slow: causes and alternatives
The YouBoost (ЮБуст) extension stopped speeding up YouTube, shows a connection error or ads. How such extensions work, why they break and what the alternatives are.
Telegram and WhatsApp calls not working: what's going on and what to do
A Telegram or WhatsApp call won't connect, hangs on "Connecting" or drops after a few seconds. Why this happens in Russia and how to get voice and video calls back.
VPN says "timeout" and won't connect: 8 causes and fixes
Why a VPN app hangs on "Connecting" or reports a timeout, and how to find the cause yourself in five minutes: another VPN, device limit, stale subscription, carrier filtering, DNS, wrong server.
How to compare VPNs in 2026: a ten-point checklist
Ten questions for comparing VPN services for Russia: protocol, in-country entry, devices, Russian sites direct, payment, support and a five-minute test before buying.
VPN for Yandex Browser: an extension in a minute, no sign-up
How to turn on a VPN in Yandex Browser with the Surok extension from the Chrome Web Store, what to do about Russian sites, and why the browser's built-in "Protect" is not a VPN.
Hiddify: subscription setup and the pitfalls
How to add a subscription to Hiddify on Android, Windows and iPhone, which modes to choose, why the app sometimes picks the "wrong" server and how to fix it.
Outline VPN doesn't work in Russia: why, and what to do
Why Outline stopped connecting for many people in Russia, how the Shadowsocks protocol differs from modern ones, and how to keep the "one button" habit with a service that works.
Streisand on iPhone: adding a subscription and fixing connection problems
Setting up the Streisand app on iPhone and iPad in three steps: subscription, server choice, refresh. Plus the errors that keep the VPN from turning on or opening sites.
HideMy.name VPN: price, what it is known for, and a simpler alternative
What HideMy.name offers, what makes up its price, who it suits and when Surok is the better deal with Russian sites direct and SBP payments.
v2RayTun: setup, errors and what to do when it won't connect
How to add a subscription to v2RayTun on Android and iPhone, where to enable server updates, why connection errors appear and how to fix them in a minute.
Happ: set up a subscription VPN in a minute
Step-by-step setup of the Happ app on Android and iPhone: adding a subscription, choosing a server, refreshing the list and the usual reasons it "won't connect".
Amnezia VPN: how to set it up and when a ready service is simpler
What Amnezia VPN is, what you need to run it, what it really costs and when a ready subscription beats your own server.
BlancVPN: price, plans and what to get instead
How much BlancVPN costs, what you pay for and how Surok compares on price and features. An honest comparison without a "one true VPN" pitch.
Surok in your browser: 7 days free, no sign-up
The Surok VPN extension for Chrome, Yandex Browser and Firefox now has a “Try for free” button: a week without an email, password or card. What the free mode includes, where its limits are and how to remove them.
Surok in Firefox and a new exit in Spain
The Surok VPN extension is published in Mozilla's add-on store, and Spain has appeared in the server list. How to install Surok in Firefox, how it differs from the Chrome version and why a ninth exit is useful.
How to pay for Surok: card, SBP, YooMoney, Stars and a subscription for those outside Russia
All the ways to pay for Surok VPN in one place: SBP, a Russian bank card via YooMoney, a YooMoney wallet, Telegram Stars, cryptocurrency, and for customers outside Russia a subscription with a card of any country and three free days. Where each method is available and how to choose.
Surok's extension is out in the Chrome Web Store
Surok VPN now installs from the Chrome Web Store in Chrome, Yandex Browser and Edge: one button, eight exit countries, Russian sites directly, your own site rules, WebRTC leak protection and password-free sign-in from your account.
The built-in ad blocker: how it works and what it doesn't do
Surok VPN now has a server-side ad and tracker blocker: the EasyList, EasyPrivacy and RU AdList lists, over a hundred thousand domains, updated weekly. What it cuts, what it doesn't and how to check.
VPNs for Russia compared in 2026: Surok, BlancVPN, Proton VPN and DureVPN
An honest comparison of four VPNs for Russia on what matters here: does it work on mobile with whitelists, are the apps its own, price per device, payment without a foreign card, logs and support.
VPN for Telegram: when photos won't load, calls don't work or channels won't open
Why Telegram lags or fails in Russia, how throttling differs from blocking, how a VPN helps and how to set up Surok VPN so Telegram always works while everything else goes direct.
VPN for Windows: how to install Surok and what it does to the system
The Surok VPN installer for Windows 10 and 11, the service and the adapter, the SmartScreen warning, one-button connection and updates without user involvement.
How to set up a VPN on Android in two minutes
Step by step: installing Surok VPN on Android without Google Play, the system warning, the VPN permission and what to do if it won't connect.
Can my provider see that I use a VPN, and what can it do
What the provider sees with a VPN on, what it doesn't, whether it can tell Surok VPN from an ordinary site, whether VPN use is legal in Russia and how "sees" differs from "blocks".
Why sites won't open and what to do about it
How sites and VPNs are blocked in Russia, what mobile carriers' whitelists are, why throttling happens, and which bypass methods work in 2026.
VPN for gaming: ping, Discord, Steam and when a VPN gets in the way
Does a VPN help in games: access to Discord, Steam and regional servers, the effect on ping, which exit to pick for European servers and how to keep a game out of the tunnel when you don't need it.
How to choose a VPN and not fall for a fake
Why free VPNs from app stores are dangerous, which permissions an honest app should ask for, what a no-logs policy really means and what to look at in a plan.
Kill switch: what it is and whether Surok has one
What a kill switch is in a VPN, why you need it, how leak protection works in the Surok VPN apps for Android, Windows, macOS and in the extension, and why on a phone the system itself handles it.
VPN for your TV: Android TV and Apple TV without router tricks
How to connect Surok VPN on a TV: Happ for Android TV and Apple TV, adding the subscription by QR code from your phone, choosing a server with the remote and YouTube without throttling.
VPN in the browser: when an extension is enough and when you need the app
How the Surok VPN extension for Chrome, Yandex Browser and Firefox differs from the app, how it opens Russian sites directly and protects against WebRTC leaks.
What is a VPN, in plain words
A VPN explained for people who don't want to study protocols: the tunnel, entry and exit, what the provider and sites see, how a VPN differs from a proxy and from incognito mode.
Which VPN protocol is best in 2026: VLESS, Reality, WireGuard, OpenVPN
A comparison of VPN protocols for Russia: why OpenVPN and WireGuard get blocked, what VLESS with Reality and XHTTP are, how entering through a CDN helps, and which of these Surok VPN uses.
Public Wi-Fi in cafés and airports: why you need a VPN there
Why open Wi-Fi is dangerous, what the hotspot owner and your network neighbour can see, and why a VPN closes those holes. Simple rules for cafés, hotels, stations and airports.
How to check that your VPN works and nothing leaks
Three one-minute checks: IP address, DNS and WebRTC. What should change after turning the VPN on, where to look and how Surok VPN closes leaks on phone, computer and in the browser.
VPN for Mac: Surok's app and what it asks of the system
Installing Surok VPN on macOS: the DMG, allowing the system extension, connecting from the menu bar, auto-updates and why the app appears as a "VPN profile" in settings.
VPN for iPhone and iPad: set up in a minute without an App Store from another country
How to connect Surok VPN on iPhone via the Happ app from the Russian App Store: sign-in, adding the subscription with one button, choosing a server and what to do if it won't connect.
The best VPN for Russia in 2026: how to pick one that actually works
Which VPN works in Russia in 2026: protocols providers don't cut, a whitelist bypass on mobile, honest pricing and what to check before you pay.