Raven Wu
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
Only 4 Steps (Quick + Easy) to Watch YouTube in Russia in 2025:
- Choose a VPN that works well in Russia. The Russian government blocks some VPNs, so I recommend ExpressVPN — its obfuscation tool is easy to use and helps bypass censorship.
- Download and install a VPN. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the VPN on your device. If you’re traveling to Russia, it’s best to download and install the VPN before you arrive, since the provider’s website may be blocked.
- Enable the obfuscation tool. Every VPN on my list has obfuscation that bypasses VPN blocks in Russia. ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is available on all of its servers.
- Connect to a VPN server in another country. Open the VPN app and select a server in a country without YouTube restrictions. Choosing a nearby server will get you the fastest speeds.
Using a VPN is the best way to get around Russia’s YouTube throttling, which makes it impossible to watch anything on the platform from there. With a VPN, you hide your online activities from the Roskomnadzor, so it won’t know you’re on YouTube to slow down your speeds.
A VPN also lets you connect to a server outside of Russia, which then gives an IP address that matches the server location. This can make it seem like you’re accessing YouTube from a different location (thereby circumventing any restrictions).
I tested all of the top VPNs and found 3 that work consistently in Russia. My favorite one is ExpressVPN — its obfuscation tool bypasses censorship in Russia, includes top-notch privacy and security features, and maintains lightning-fast speeds for streaming YouTube.
Editor’s Note: It’s important to research local laws and regulations before using a VPN in Russia. Using a VPN to access sites and services banned by the government could lead to penalties or other legal consequences. We at SafetyDetectives don’t endorse or promote the use of a VPN to break Russian law.
March 2025 update: We’ve updated this article to add troubleshooting steps for users in Russia with getting their VPNs to work. We also included an extra step in the “How to watch YouTube in Russia” section to reflect the fact that some users may need a helper VPN to get things started.
Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
How to Watch YouTube in Russia on Any Device
1. Choose a VPN that works well with YouTube in Russia.
The VPN should have obfuscation and servers in nearby countries where YouTube is unrestricted. ExpressVPN refreshes its IP addresses frequently to avoid VPN IP blocks, has an easy-to-use obfuscation tool, and offers servers in multiple countries near Russia, which will get you safe access to YouTube.
2. Download and install the VPN to your device.
Go to the VPN site and download the app for your device. Then, follow the instructions provided by the installation wizard. This should take about 1–2 minutes.
It’s best to install the VPN before traveling to Russia — many VPN apps are blocked on the App Store and Google Play in Russia. This is especially important for iOS users, who can’t use the .apk version of VPNs.
If you’re already in the country and having trouble accessing the VPN’s site, you can email the VPN’s support team to request a direct download link or an Android .apk file.
3. (If needed) Use a helper VPN to access your primary VPN.
If your VPN app won’t open or you’re getting an error message when trying to log into your account after installation, your ISP may be blocking it. In that case, you can download a government-approved VPN like Kaspersky VPN — it’s free and works in Russia but only gives you access to government-approved content.
Download and install it onto your device and connect it to a server outside Russia. Then, re-open your main VPN app, which you now should be able to use without any issues. The good news is you only need the helper VPN the first time around!
4. Open the app, turn on obfuscation, and choose a server.
The first thing you should do is enable obfuscation. Then, connect to a country where YouTube isn’t restricted. If you want to avoid buffering, I recommend picking a country that’s near Russia — this will give you the best possible speeds.
That’s it! You can now enjoy watching YouTube in Russia with no restrictions.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Watching YouTube in Russia in 2025
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best VPN for Watching YouTube in Russia in 2025
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for watching YouTube in Russia. It provides obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols but recommends using the Automatic protocol in Russia. This disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, which lets you bypass government blocks on VPNs. I really like how it turns on obfuscation automatically, too, so you don’t have to mess with any settings to access YouTube.
It’s the fastest VPN on the market, so you won’t have to worry about long video load times or buffering when watching videos on YouTube. This is because its super-fast proprietary Lightway protocol supports obfuscation, whereas most other VPNs rely on a slower proprietary protocol or OpenVPN for obfuscation.
This provider has a large server network spanning 105 countries, including many countries near Russia where YouTube isn’t restricted. Additionally, it has servers in Sweden, the Netherlands (Rotterdam location), the UK (Docklands location), Switzerland, and Germany (Frankfurt 1 location) that are specifically optimized to work with Russian connections.
ExpressVPN’s plans start at £3.86 / month, and it backs all of its plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users, so you can try it out risk-free. It accepts payment in Russia via Bitcoin, YooMoney (Yandex), and WebMoney.
Read our full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Astrill VPN — Proprietary VPN Protocol for Accessing YouTube
Astrill VPN works consistently with YouTube in Russia thanks to its StealthVPN protocol, which provides obfuscation. It also comes with a great tool called Smart Mode, which avoids VPN blocks by assigning you an IP address that looks regional — plus, it improves your YouTube speeds!
This VPN has servers in 56 countries, including Ukraine, Finland, Romania, and Japan. When it comes to speeds, Astrill is very fast, allowing you to watch YouTube videos uninterrupted while connected to nearby countries.
Astrill VPN’s plans start at £9.66 / month, and it offers a 7-day free trial that you can use to test out its features. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a money-back guarantee. It accepts payment in Russia via UnionPay and cryptocurrencies.
Read our full Astrill VPN review
🥉3. Proton VPN — Good Free VPN for Watching YouTube in Russia
Proton VPN is one of the few free VPNs that work in Russia. Its Stealth protocol is available on the free plan — it provides obfuscation on iOS, Android, and Mac devices. The free plan also offers unlimited bandwidth, so you can watch as many YouTube videos as you like, and most of its free server locations aren’t that far away from Russia, including the Netherlands, Romania, and Japan.
ProtonVPN’s paid plans give you access to all of its servers in 117 countries, so you get a lot more options for accessing YouTube. Plus, you’ll get much better speeds for watching YouTube videos buffer-free, considering the free servers are typically overwhelmed.
Proton VPN’s paid plans start at £2.77 / month and are backed by a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee. Note that the only way to pay for the VPN in Russia is via UnionPay.
Read our full Proton VPN review
Quick Comparison Table
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To find the best VPNs for watching YouTube in Russia, I followed our proven testing methodology for VPNs. I looked specifically for VPNs with obfuscation and servers in multiple nearby countries. I also paid extra attention to each provider’s speeds, ease of use, and security features. Here are the criteria I used to rank and compare the VPNs on my list:
- I made sure each VPN works in Russia. Many VPNs don’t work in Russia due to government censorship. But all of the VPNs on my list work consistently in the country due to having good obfuscation tools.
- I looked for VPNs with servers in nearby locations. The distance between you and the VPN server you connect to when watching YouTube will affect your connection speeds. So I looked for VPNs with servers in countries near Russia, like Ukraine, Romania, Finland, Japan, and Mongolia.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. Using any VPN will reduce your connection speeds slightly due to the encryption process. I chose VPNs that maintain fast enough speeds to watch YouTube videos in HD quality without any interruptions. ExpressVPN was the fastest in my tests.
- I chose VPNs with strong privacy and security features. All of the VPNs I recommend include industry-standard VPN security features to protect you from government surveillance and threat actors. These features include bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a strict no-logs policy, which means the provider doesn’t log your traffic, and a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
- I picked VPNs that provide good overall value. The VPNs on my list all have reasonably-priced plans, come with some great extra features, allow a minimum of 5 simultaneous connections, and offer a money-back guarantee or free trial.
Troubleshooting VPN Issues for Watching YouTube in Russia
A VPN can access YouTube in Russia, but it’s common to encounter issues due to the country’s heavy internet restrictions and constant updates to government blocks. Below are some troubleshooting tips to help you resolve typical problems that may arise during your VPN usage.
1. VPN Not Connecting or Keeps Disconnecting
If your VPN isn’t connecting, is stuck on connecting, or keeps disconnecting, it could be due to several reasons, such as government-imposed throttling, overloaded servers, or misconfigured settings. Here’s how to fix it:
- Switch servers. If the VPN server you’re trying to connect to is overloaded or blocked, try connecting to a different server. For optimal speeds, choose a nearby country, like Ukraine, Finland, or Sweden, or check if your VPN has recommended server locations for use in Russia.
- Change VPN protocol. If the default one isn’t working, try switching to a different protocol (like OpenVPN, IKEv2, or WireGuard). Some VPNs, like ExpressVPN, automatically switch to a better protocol when connecting in regions with heavy censorship, so consider toggling this option (choose the Automatic protocol option).
- Check for server outages. Some VPN providers experience server outages. You can check the VPN provider’s website or contact their support team for updates. Alternatively, try connecting to another server location.
- Update your VPN software. Sometimes, outdated software can cause connection issues. You can get the latest version from the provider’s website (or ask for it via email).
2. Slow Speeds or Buffering While Watching YouTube.
VPNs naturally slow down your connection due to the encryption process. Since you have to use obfuscation technology in Russia, your speeds are likely to suffer more. There are steps you can take to improve your streaming experience:
- Choose a closer server location. VPN servers that are closer to you will typically provide better speeds. For example, select a server in a nearby country like Finland, Latvia, or the Netherlands for a faster connection.
- Enable split tunneling. This feature allows you to route only YouTube traffic through the VPN while leaving other traffic unaffected. This can improve your overall internet speed by reducing the VPN load.
- Lower video quality. While this is not a permanent solution, temporarily reducing YouTube’s video quality to 720p or 480p can help with buffering.
3. VPN is Blocked by Russian Authorities (Cannot Access YouTube)
Even if you’ve successfully connected to a VPN, Russian authorities might block your VPN’s traffic, which will prevent you from accessing YouTube. If this happens, try the following steps to avoid detection and regain access:
- Make sure to turn on obfuscation. Obfuscation tools that disguise your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. With most VPNs, you’ll have to manually turn on this feature in the settings. With ExpressVPN, this feature is automatically enabled when you connect to a server in Russia.
- Use Tor. Tor routes your internet traffic through a network of volunteer-operated servers to anonymize your connection, although it can be slower than a VPN. You’ll also have to take some extra steps to get it working in Russia (there are step-by-step instructions on the Tor site!).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is YouTube not working in Russia?
The short answer is: because your Russian ISP is throttling YouTube speeds to a point where the site and app are unusable. The easiest way to circumvent the effects of the government restrictions on YouTube is by getting a good VPN for Russia.
How can I get YouTube to work in Russia?
To get YouTube working in Russia, simply follow these 3 simple steps: First, get a VPN that works in Russia (I recommend ExpressVPN). Next download and install the VPN onto the device you want to watch YouTube on. Finally, launch the VPN app, turn on your provider’s obfuscation feature, and connect to a server in a nearby country where YouTube is unrestricted, and you’re all set!
Are VPNs legal in Russia?
Yes, VPNs are legal in Russia. That said, you could get into legal trouble for using a non-government-authorized VPN (that complies with its censorship and data monitoring laws) or for using a VPN to access sites and services that the government has banned. All of the VPNs on my list have strong privacy and security features to ensure your online anonymity.
Is there a good free VPN for watching YouTube in Russia?
I generally don’t recommend using a free VPN to watch YouTube in Russia. Most free VPNs won’t work reliably in the country. Free VPNs also tend to have slow speeds, which will cause long load times and constant buffering on YouTube, and/or have strict data caps that limit how much you can watch. Instead, I recommend getting an affordable paid VPN. If you’re only looking for a free VPN, Proton VPN is your best option.
