Apple Removes VK Apps From Russia’s App Store, Shutting Push Notifications

Apple removed most key services of the Russian holding VK from the App Store without prior notice, including Odnoklassniki, Zen, and the Mail.ru email service, according to Meduza as cited by RBC-Ukraine.

“According to Apple’s 2025 App Store Transparency Report, Russia is the runaway world leader in one category: Demanding that Apple remove apps from its App Store”

Ars Technica

VK representatives said in a press release that Apple’s actions are discriminatory against millions of users and warned that the apps will continue to function on already installed devices while users lose the ability to receive critical push notifications.

Ars Technica

Ars Technica reported that in 2025 Russia asked Apple to remove 1,213 apps, placing Russia as the runaway world leader in that category, and it contrasted that with Vietnam’s request to block 335 apps.

Ars Technica also said Apple blocked Max in the first week of June and VKontakte on June 25, while existing installs would still function but push notifications were shut down.

The Moscow Times, as cited by Ars Technica, reported Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov saying, “the Russian government expects an explanation from Apple for the removal of VK apps.”

Russia moved to tighten domestic app control as Roskomnadzor announced the partial restriction of calls via Telegram and WhatsApp on its territory under the pretext of fighting crime, according to next.ink.

next.ink said the Russian government explained on Telegram on Thursday, August 21 that a law passed in July obliges smartphone distributors to preinstall the RuStore app store developed by VK, supported by the Russian Ministry of Digital Development.

next.ink

The update described that Android smartphones distributed in Russia now have RuStore preinstalled by default, and it added that Apple will have to install RuStore on those sold in Russia starting September 1.

next.ink reported that Roskomnadzor confirmed on Wednesday, August 13 it would restrict voice and video calls on WhatsApp and Telegram in Russia, describing the measure as “anti-fraud” intended to “protect citizens.”

It also said the Russian Ministry of Digital Development told the Guardian, “Access to calls in foreign messaging apps will be restored as soon as they comply with Russian law,” and that Max would be mandatory starting September 1 on new devices.

next.ink reported that authorities would block calls on WhatsApp and Telegram to push Russians to adopt VK’s new Max app, which it described as mandatory starting September 1 on new devices.

“Apple removes key Russian apps from App Store with no prior notice Apple has removed most key services of the Russian holding VK from the App Store without prior warning, including Odnoklassniki, Zen, and the Mail”

RBC-Ukraine

It said the British media compared Max to China’s WeChat and quoted a claim that “The data collected by Max will be readily accessible to the FSB's security services, and Kremlin agents could even monitor online conversations in real time,” as described by the outlet’s reporting.

next.ink also said Max was developed by order of Putin and that a recently passed law would require manufacturers to install Max on all devices sold in Russia starting September 1.

In parallel, RBC-Ukraine reported that Apple’s removal of VK apps would continue to leave them functioning on already installed devices but would remove push notifications about new events due to Apple’s service restrictions.

Ars Technica framed the broader pattern by noting that Russia asked Apple to remove 1,213 apps in 2025, many of them VPN apps designed to thwart censorship, while it described Russia’s goal as building a closed, spy-friendly domestic version of the Internet.