Serious disruptions to Apple's App Store and Google Play in Russia that began on July 20 have led to widespread complaints from users. The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media (Roskomnadzor) announced that it had not imposed any blocking regarding the issue.
The access problems emerged after the sanctioned messaging app 'Max' and several apps owned by VK holding were removed from the App Store in June. Independent media outlet Meduza assessed the situation with tech journalists Mariya Kolomychenko (The Bell) and David Frenkel (Mediazona).
Journalists: This could be a symmetrical response and bargaining tactic
Investigative journalist Mariya Kolomychenko from The Bell noted that the problem is observed only in Russia and that the independent OONI project also recorded abnormal drops in access. Kolomychenko said it could be a test of blocking or slowing down access. Recalling a similar incident with Cloudflare a year ago, the journalist said, 'The simplest and most obvious conclusion is usually the correct one,' and expressed that the problems with Apple and Google services appear to be a 'symmetrical response' to the removal of the apps.
Stressing that losing access to the App Store is much more critical for iPhone users, Kolomychenko said, 'It would almost turn iPhones into bricks. You can't install a new app.' She noted that a Google Play block would cause fewer problems because Android users can install apps from alternative stores.
Mediazona journalist David Frenkel argued that the access problems most likely point to a block, but that it is intended more to pressure Apple than as an act of 'revenge.' Frenkel said, 'Roskomnadzor wants Apple to cooperate with it and does not wish for the company to leave the market entirely.'
According to Frenkel, Apple also does not want to withdraw from the Russian market. The journalist suggested that such targeted access restrictions could actually be a 'bargaining' tactic: 'You are not paying attention to us, you are applying sanctions; we can do the same, do you want us to continue?'
Frenkel warned that it is critical for Apple's iOS update system to remain accessible, otherwise millions of iPhones could become vulnerable to security flaws. Noting that the situation is more flexible on Android devices, Frenkel said Russian authorities want to promote domestic stores like RuStore, but that the restrictions Google will impose starting September 2026 could complicate that plan.
