Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that work in Russia, although you may have to use another country’s IP address to access some sites. Thus, the VPN provider is a good solution to enjoy diverse content despite the country’s strict censorship laws.
After testing Surfshark for a while, I found that it’s the best VPN to use in Russia due to its robust security features, online privacy, and affordable plans.
In this guide, I’ll take you through how to use Surfshark to encrypt your internet connection, securely download torrents and unblock content in Russia.
How to Use Surfshark in Russia?
So, does Surfshark work in Russia? Yes. But to continue enjoying your favorite content, you must connect to servers in other countries to access blocked sites and geo-blocked content while remaining “unseen.”
In 2019, Roskomnadzor (the Russian federal agency responsible for communication, information, and mass media) issued an order requiring VPN providers to block specific websites and provide user activities. Fortunately, Surfshark isn’t in Russia’s jurisdiction and doesn’t have to conform to such laws.
To use Surfshark in Russia, you should
- Download the Surfshark VPN.
- Choose a preferred Surfshark server. Here’s a guide to the Surfshark server list.
- Start browsing securely.
How to Use the Best Surfshark Features for Russia?
To get the most out of Surfshark in Russia, here are a few tips I compiled from my review:
1. Use the Obfuscation Feature
The obfuscation feature on Surfshark, also called Camouflage Mode, hides your VPN usage activity even from your internet service provider.
However, I noticed that it slows down internet speeds due to the extra encryption used.
It works with specific algorithms on the OpenVPN protocols to make your traffic look regular – as if no VPN is in use.
To use this Surfshark feature in Russia, follow the steps below.
- Log into your Surfshark account.
- Click the settings cog (lower left), then click “VPN Settings.”
- Scroll down to the “Protocol” section.
- Select either OpenVPN options – UDP or TCP. The UDP option is faster than TCP, though.
- You can now connect to any server to enjoy obfuscation.
2. Take Advantage of the Kill Switch Feature
The killswitch feature turns off your internet in case Surfshark stops working abruptly. This ultimately protects your data until you get reconnected.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to enable it on your mobile or PC devices.
- Open Surfshark and go to settings.
- Select “VPN settings.”
- Toggle the icon to enable the kill switch.
Why Surfshark Is the Best VPN to Use in Russia?
After reviewing Surfshark, I concluded it’s the best VPN to use in Russia due to several privacy and online security-focused features it packs. They include
- The Kill Switch — This automatically stops your internet connection if you lose the VPN connection. It’s important for protecting your privacy in Russia because it prevents data from momentarily leaking from your computer or phone to ISPs like 2Com Company, CENTRONET, AiPi-Com, and AccessNet.
- Ultra security — Surfshark uses 256-bit AES, an advanced encryption protocol, which is extremely difficult to hack or crack by the Russian government or anyone else. Plus, its Camouflage Mode protects you from the Russian government’s censorship laws.
- Ability to unblock geo-restricted content — Russia has blocked several sites like Facebook, ukr.net, telegraph.co.uk, and npr.org, but Surfshark allows you to access them. This VPN unlocks geo-restricted content, and its NoBorders feature lets you get through any firewall that might stand in your way.
- Thousands of servers — Surfshark has 3200 servers in 100+ countries, increasing your chances of finding a nearby server for fast and reliable service, no matter your location in Russia.
- Several payment options — Surfshark offers Russian dwellers and citizens several payment options that aren’t available with most other VPNs. These flexible options include Cryptocurrency, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay.
- Unlimited simultaneous connections — Unlike most other VPNs, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. This means it’s cost-effective when you have a large family or are a large group of expatriates.
Alternatives for Surfshark in Russia
Despite its popularity, and pocket-friendly prices, Surfshark doesn’t necessarily score 100% as the best VPN in Russia.
This is because it has some limitations, which other VPNs cater to.
And according to my tests, ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and PrivateVPN are the other VPNs that pick up Surfshark’s slack in Russia.
1. ExpressVPN
I loved ExpressVPN due to its fast, automatic obfuscation across all servers, making it suitable for expatriates looking for various content options.
ExpressVPN also has Lightway, an exclusive and fast VPN protocol that’s as secure as they come.
If you’re interested, then enjoy ExpressVPN with our exclusive discount!
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost has a virtual server in Russia, allowing access to Russian content. Likewise, it offers more servers (9000+) even though it’s not totally close on the country count.
CyberGhost is also more affordable than Surfshark, but it only allows 7 simultaneous connections, while Surfshark’s connections are unlimited.
If the Russian servers are enough to sway you, enjoy our CyberGhost VPN discount now!
3. PrivateVPN
I recommend PrivateVPN as a Surfshark alternative since it has 2 Russian server locations (Krasnoyarsk & Moscow) and offers great pricing, especially if you choose the three-year plan.
Grab our exclusive Private VPN deal now if you’d rather this VPN service.
FAQs
Does Surfshark Work With Torrenting in Russia?
Yes, Surfshark works with torrenting services in Russia.
Its servers are fully optimized for P2P downloads, but its apps don’t offer a specialty P2P server section.
To torrent safely with Surfshark in Russia, you should enable the kill switch, use the WireGuard protocol as it’s faster, and then connect to your preferred server.
How Can I Pay for Surfshark in Russia?
You can pay for Surfshark in Russia with credit cards, prepaid cards, Paypal, Google Pay, or debit cards. First, visit the Surfshark website and choose your preferred plan. Next, enter your email address, and scroll down to find preferred payment options.
How Fast Is Surfshark in Russia?
Surfshark is fast in Russia but the speed is dependent on which servers you choose. Thus, the farther you are from a server, the slower the VPN will be, and vice versa.
Other factors that impact Surfshark’s speeds in Russia include your internet connection speed and the device’s processor speed (the faster your processor, the faster your connection will be).
Does Surfshark Have Servers in Russia?
No, Surfshark doesn’t have servers in Russia. It closed its servers in the country on March 2nd, 2022, due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
This only has a minor effect of not accessing Russian content.
Nevertheless, the many other servers in the US, UK, Netherlands, Australia, and 90+ other countries allow you access to geo-blocked content anywhere.
Is Surfshark Blocked in Russia?
Surfshark isn’t blocked in Russia, so you can use the service to access geo-blocked sites and encrypt your internet connection from the country.
The Surfshark VPN is also a good choice to access censored websites or services while in Russia and get an extra layer of security on public Wi-Fi networks/other networks that hackers and malware could compromise.
Is Surfshark a Russian Company?
No, Surfshark is not a Russian company. This VPN service provider is based in the Netherlands, which has great user privacy laws.
One of the reasons Surshark chose this location is their lack of obligatory data retention laws, which enables them to adhere to their zero-logs policy.
Conclusion
Russia may have strict censorship laws, but Surfshark makes it easy to circumvent those blocks and still get on the web. You just have to sacrifice having a Russian IP address, which is a small price to pay.
I love how Surfshark provides unlimited bandwidth for P2P/torrent traffic and offers a wide range of server locations. Surfing anonymously has never been easier!
So, what are you waiting for? Grab our exclusive discount and enjoy restricted content with Surfshark today!
