In short
- In Moscow the mode has applied since March 13, 2026; in the regions, since 2025.
- The list includes Gosuslugi (the government services portal), banks, marketplaces, messengers, media, transport, healthcare and education.
- As of May 2026 the list includes more than 500 websites and services.
- The restrictions apply to mobile internet. Home internet and Wi-Fi work without whitelists.
- A VPN server isn't on the list, so the connection to it doesn't go through on mobile internet.
What whitelists are and why they were introduced
An ordinary block closes individual websites. A whitelist works the other way round: only what's on it is open. When an operator switches on whitelist mode, mobile internet lets traffic through only to the websites and services on the list.
The reason for the restrictions is the threat of drone attacks. Mobile internet has been shut off in Moscow, the Urals and Kamchatka. The whitelist determines which websites and services stay available when that happens.
The first version of the list appeared in September 2025. In the regions the mode has applied since 2025; in Moscow, since March 13, 2026.
How traffic is filtered. The operator checks DNS requests and IP addresses: if an address isn't on the list, the connection isn't established. To analyse traffic, operators use DPI — deep packet inspection.
What's on the whitelists
As of May 2026 the whitelist includes more than 500 websites and services. They fall into these categories:
- Gosuslugi and government websites;
- banks;
- marketplaces and delivery;
- messengers and social networks;
- media;
- transport;
- healthcare and education.
There is no single published list. Mintsifry announces additions piecemeal, and operators have their own exports.
Where whitelists apply
Whitelists apply to mobile internet at every operator: MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, T2. The list is shared; each operator sets up access according to it.
Home internet and Wi-Fi work without whitelists. On a phone connected to Wi-Fi, websites that aren't on the list open as well.
| Connection | Whitelists |
|---|---|
| Mobile internet: MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, T2 | Apply during restrictions |
| Home internet | Don't apply |
| Wi-Fi | Don't apply |
How to tell that whitelist mode is on
- Only Gosuslugi, banks and large Russian services open.
- Other websites and foreign apps don't load.
- On Wi-Fi the same websites and apps work.
All three signs together mean the restriction is switched on in the mobile network, not that something broke in your phone.
Why a VPN doesn't work under whitelists
A VPN sends traffic through its own server. The VPN server's address isn't on the whitelist, so in whitelist mode the connection to it doesn't go through and the VPN doesn't connect. On Wi-Fi the same VPN connects: there are no whitelists there.
On mobile internet in whitelist mode, only services that have prepared for this mode work. Other reasons a VPN stops working are covered in VPN not working: what to check, step by step.
What to do
- Connect to Wi-Fi. Home internet and Wi-Fi work without whitelists.
- Check your VPN service. Ask on the service's website or its support whether it works under whitelists.
MaskNet works under whitelists
MaskNet works under whitelists on mobile internet. The connection is a cascade: you enter through a MaskNet server in Russia, so the operator sees only a Russian address. MaskNet checks every server every 20 seconds and, if one fails, moves traffic to a spare in the same country without you doing anything. The subscription is added to Happ or INCY with a single button, and we refund within 30 days.
Frequently asked questions
What are whitelists?
The list of websites and services that open when mobile internet is restricted. Everything else doesn't load. The list is compiled by Mintsifry, and telecom operators set up access.
What's on the whitelists?
More than 500 websites and services as of May 2026: Gosuslugi and government websites, banks, marketplaces and delivery, messengers and social networks, media, transport, healthcare and education. There is no single published list: Mintsifry announces additions piecemeal, and operators have their own exports.
Do MTS and Beeline apply whitelists?
Yes. Whitelists apply to mobile internet at every operator — MTS, Beeline, MegaFon, T2. The list is compiled by Mintsifry; each operator sets up access according to it.
Are there whitelists on home internet?
No. The restrictions apply to mobile internet. Home internet and Wi-Fi work without whitelists.
Does a VPN work under whitelists?
A VPN whose server isn't on the list doesn't connect on mobile internet: the connection to the server doesn't go through. Only services that have prepared for this mode work. There are no whitelists on Wi-Fi, and a VPN connects there.
How long are whitelists switched on for?
Durations aren't announced in advance: the mode is switched on while there is a threat of drone attacks and lifted after it. In the regions it has applied since 2025; in Moscow, since March 13, 2026.