How to Get a Russian IP Address With a VPN – 2023 Guide
- Quick Guide: How to Get A Russian IP Address With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Best VPNs to Get a Russian IP From Anywhere in 2023
- CyberGhost — Speedy Virtual Servers Make it Easy to Stream Russian Shows and Movies
- Proton VPN — Secure Core Feature For Maximum Privacy on a Russian IP
- Hotspot Shield — Catapult Hydra Protocol Offers Robust Security While Using a Russian IP
- VyprVPN — Intuitive Interface To Easily Connect and Get a Russian IP Address
- Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for a Russian IP Address
- The Dangers of Using a Free VPN to Get a Russian IP Address
- FAQs on Getting a Russian IP Address With a VPN
- Get a Russian IP Address in Minutes
Being unable to access your favorite Russian TV channels and streaming platforms outside of the country can be super frustrating. Russian streaming services and many websites block foreign IP addresses, so it’s near impossible to watch your favorite shows if you’re away from the country. Fortunately, there’s a quick fix that’ll get you a Russian IP address in minutes.
A VPN is the easiest way to get a Russian IP address. This simple software reroutes your online traffic through its private server network to give you an IP from a different country. This way, you can access Russian streaming platforms, such as Match TV and NTV. You’ll also be able to access Russian services like online banking with no issues.
After testing 100+ top VPNs, I found the best option for Russian IP addresses is CyberGhost. It’s the fastest VPN I tested, so it’s great for streaming and torrenting. In addition, it uses virtual servers to keep you safe while using a Russian IP address. You can also test CyberGhost risk-free since it’s backed by a 45-day money-back guarantee.
Warning! If you’re looking for a VPN to use within Russia, be cautious. While it’s not illegal to use a VPN in Russia, it is illegal to use one to access banned websites. Ensure you stay up to date with the changing laws in Russia so you don’t accidentally break them.
Quick Guide: How to Get A Russian IP Address With a VPN in 3 Easy Steps
- Download a VPN. I recommend CyberGhost because it’s the fastest VPN I tested and has a robust no-logs policy to ensure your privacy while using a Russian IP address. Plus, it offers a reliable 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out without worry.
- Connect to a virtual Russian server. Search for Russia in the app and connect to a virtual server to get a Russian IP address.
- Start browsing. Enjoy watching all your favorite Russian content from anywhere!
Why You Need a VPN to Get a Russian IP
Certain websites and services in Russia block foreign visitors due to licensing agreements and fraud protection measures. These websites scan every incoming request to check if the IP address is from Russia, and if it’s not, they’ll block your access.
However, a VPN with physical or virtual servers in Russia can help you bypass these IP-based blocks. They do this by replacing your real IP address with one from another server location. This way, sites like THT and IVI will think you’re in Russia and give you full access.
Additionally, a VPN will protect your online data with its robust security and privacy features. These include AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection. This lets you access Russian sites safely, even on unsecured public networks.
Best VPNs to Get a Russian IP From Anywhere in 2023
1. CyberGhost — Speedy Virtual Servers Make it Easy to Stream Russian Shows and Movies
Try Risk-Free for 30 DaysTested July 2023
| Best Feature | The fastest VPN I tested with reliable access to Russian streaming services |
| Security and Privacy | Military-grade encryption and a strict no-logs policy to keep your private data secure |
| Speeds | Very fast - stream in UHD with only a 7% speed loss on local servers |
| Can Access | Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, THT, IVI, Netflix (US and UK), APV, Hulu, and more |
CyberGhost offers impressively fast speeds even from thousands of miles away from Russia. When I tested its Russian virtual servers, I only lost 7% of my base speeds from my location in the UK. This allowed me to reliably unblock and stream content on Russia-1 in UHD without a single instance of buffering.
I only had to watch approximately 3 seconds for the video to load
CyberGhost also offers a torrenting-optimized server with a Russian IP address. To test it out, I downloaded the original Night of the Living Dead — a 700 MB file. The download was complete in just 2 minutes with no slowdowns or sudden interruptions.
CyberGhost also offers more protection against Russia’s online surveillance laws, allowing you to access services like online banking with greater privacy. It offers dozens of NoSpy servers, all of which are based in its secure HQ in privacy-friendly Romania. This reduces the risk of third-party interference, helping to keep your sensitive information safe.
The only downside of CyberGhost is its short-term plans are pretty expensive and have a shorter money-back guarantee. However, its long-term plans are much more affordable — these offer prices from $2.19/month. The long-term plans also come with an extended 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can test out CyberGhost risk-free.
Useful Features
- DNS and IP leak protection. You can browse Russian websites safely without worrying about anyone discovering your true location.
- Malware and phishing protection. CyberGhost’s Block Content feature protects you against malware and phishing attempts, helping to keep you safe wherever you are in the world.
- Streaming-optimized servers. This VPN also offers dozens of servers optimized for a variety of streaming platforms. Unfortunately, there aren’t any for Russian entertainment, but there are plenty available for global services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
- Easy to use. CyberGhost’s app makes it easy to find a Russian IP address, even if you’ve never used VPNs before. You’ll be able to connect to the server in just a few clicks. Plus, the favorites feature makes it even easier to connect next time.
Get a Russian IP with CyberGhost >>
2. Proton VPN — Secure Core Feature For Maximum Privacy on a Russian IP
| Best Feature | Proton VPN’s Secure Core routes your data through privacy-friendly countries before you connect to a Russian IP address |
| Security and Privacy | Keeps your online identity private with a powerful kill switch |
| Speeds | Very fast with only a 6% speed loss on local servers |
| Can Access | Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, Okko, THT, IVI, Netflix US, APV, Hulu, and more |
Proton VPN protects your data while you’re using a Russian IP address with its Secure Core feature. Before your traffic reaches its virtual servers, it’s redirected through servers in privacy-friendly Switzerland or Iceland. This adds another layer of encryption, which makes it even harder for snoops to decipher your data.
I particularly liked that Proton VPN’s app has a built-in speed test
The built-in Accelerator feature makes sure you won’t experience any significant speed drops while using a Russian IP address. When I tested its virtual Russian servers, I was impressed that I lost only around 6% from my base speeds.
One drawback of ProtonVPN is it lacks 24/7 live chat support. However, I discovered its online support page to be super informative, and the customer support team responded to my ticket within 24 hours.
Every paid plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test Proton VPN’s Russian IP addresses risk-free. As long as you request a refund within the guarantee period, you can get a full refund.
Useful Features
- Kill switch. In the event of a VPN connection drop, the kill switch automatically cuts off your internet connection to prevent data leakage. This helps to keep your sensitive data safe, so it’s ideal for using on surveillance-heavy networks like those in Russia.
- Based in Switzerland. Because Switzerland is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, Proton VPN is under no obligation to share any data with government agencies.
- Tor Over VPN. You can access the Tor network from your regular browser while you’re connected to Proton VPN. This makes it even easier to browse the web anonymously while keeping you safe on the dark web.
Get a Russian IP with Proton VPN >>
3. Hotspot Shield — Catapult Hydra Protocol Offers Robust Security While Using a Russian IP
| Best Feature | Proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol offers robust security and perfect foward secrecy |
| Security and Privacy | RAM-only servers ensure none of your data is permanently stored, so third parties can't get their hands on it |
| Speeds | Fast with drops of around 10% on local servers |
| Can Access | Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, Okko, THT, IVI, Netflix US, APV, Hulu, and more |
Hotspot Shield’s proprietary Catapult Hydra protocol offers strong security, helping to keep you safe while you’re using a Russian IP address. This protocol is frequently audited by some of the world’s largest security companies.
My average download speed was reduced by only 10% when connected to a Russian IP address
Despite the heavy layer of security, Catapult Hydra offers impressive speeds — especially over long distances. During my tests, my average speeds remained consistently high while using this protocol. I had a 10% drop from my baseline connection, which wasn’t as impressive as CyberGhost, but it was still enough to stream and download without significant delays.
One slight shortcoming is it doesn’t have IPv6 or WebRTC leak protection. However, Hotspot Shield provides these features via its browser add-ons, which are compatible with both Chrome and Firefox.
Hotspot Shield offers a free plan, but this doesn’t include the virtual servers that offer Russian IP addresses. However, you can test Hotspot Shield risk-free thanks to its generous 45–day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- No-logs policy. Hotspot Shield does not collect or store any personally identifiable information. This is a relief as it’s based in the US, which is part of the 5 Eyes Alliance.
- Ad-blocker. You can block annoying ads and pop-ups for a cleaner and smoother browsing experience. If Russian isn’t your first language, this will also help to keep you safe on unfamiliar websites.
Get a Russian IP with Hotspot Shield >>
4. VyprVPN — Intuitive Interface To Easily Connect and Get a Russian IP Address
| Best Feature | Simple apps that are effortless to use even without prior experience with VPNs |
| Security and Privacy | Private DNS servers to stop your ISP from snooping on your browsing |
| Speeds | Decent, with an average 15% speed drop on local servers |
| Can Access | Russia-1, Match TV, NTV, Okko, THT, IVI, Netflix US, APV, Hulu, and more |
You can connect to one of VyprVPN's virtual servers with a few clicks and get a Russian IP address. It only took 4 seconds before I was connected to the Russian server on my Windows PC.
I didn’t experience any slowdowns while streaming on Okko
VyprVPN consistently accessed Russian streaming services, too When I connected to a Russian IP address, I was really impressed that I never came across any error messages or blocks.
That said, my speeds weren’t consistent. I had an average drop of around 15%, but I sometimes lost over 40% of my base speed. This is likely because VyprVPN’s virtual servers are a long-distance connection for me, and local servers only dropped my speeds by 10%.
VyprVPN monthly subscription is a bit too pricey for my liking. But long-term plans cost only $5/month. You can also try VyprVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Useful Features
- VyprDNS. VyprVPN's encrypted DNS service ensures secure and private DNS resolution while you’re connected to the VPN. This helps to protect your browsing history from your ISP, which is particularly important in surveillance-heavy countries.
- 24/7 customer support. VyprVPN provides round-the-clock customer support to assist you with any technical or account-related issues. So you can be sure someone is available to help, no matter which timezone you’re in.
Get a Russian IP with VyprVPN >>
Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for a Russian IP Address
These are the parameters I considered when determining the best VPN for a Russian IP:
- Russian virtual locations — I specifically looked for VPNs that have virtual servers that provide Russian IP addresses. I avoided VPNs that still have physical Russian servers, as this means they’re obligated to collect and hold user data.
- Streaming capabilities — Every VPN on my list can successfully and consistently access Russian streaming platforms like Russia-1 and Match TV.
- Fast speeds — I’ve run speed tests on every VPN I’ve recommended, and each one offers speeds fast enough for smooth streaming, downloading, and browsing without any frustrating delays.
- Strong security and privacy features — I only recommend VPNs that offer strong security and privacy features, such as advanced encryption, secure protocols, and a kill switch. These features ensure your data remains secure and your online activities are kept private while using a Russian IP address.
- User-friendly apps — I’ve prioritized VPNs that work out of the box and make it easy to get a Russian IP address.
- Dependable customer support — Every VPN on this list has different support channels available, such as live chat, email, and phone support. Ideally, assistance should be available 24/7.
- Device compatibility — I’ve only listed VPNs that are compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. This makes it easy to get a Russian IP address wherever you are.
The Dangers of Using a Free VPN to Get a Russian IP Address
I strongly advise against using a free VPN service to get a Russian IP address. Most free VPNs lack the necessary features to offer robust protection, often resulting in slow speeds, limited server options, and unreliable connections. Not only that, but many free VPNs make money by selling user data.
Due to Russia’s tightening of online surveillance and censorship following the invasion of Ukraine, any VPN with physical servers in Russia is required to log and hold user data for up to 3 years. As a result, no trustworthy VPN will offer physical Russian servers.
With all that in mind, I only recommend using a premium and reputable VPN that provides Russian IP addresses through virtual servers. This keeps your data out of the hands of snoops and hackers, plus ensures you have the security features you need to stay safe online.
FAQs on Getting a Russian IP Address With a VPN
Is using a Russian IP address legal?
Yes, using a VPN to get a Russian IP address is legal in most parts of the world. All you need to do is use a reliable VPN that offers Russian IP addresses via virtual servers. Be wary of VPNs that promise physical Russian servers – they legally have to log your data and prevent access to websites banned in the country.
It's always best to read up on the latest rules and regulations surrounding VPN use before using one. VPNs are heavily restricted in Russia, and they’re restricted or illegal in several other countries. In addition, if you want to use a VPN in Russia to get free and open internet access, it's best to download it before arriving in the country.
Are there other ways to get a Russian IP address?
You can get a Russian IP address by using a proxy server. Like VPNs, proxies route your connection through their servers to give you a new IP address. But proxy servers do not encrypt your connection, which leaves you vulnerable online. That’s why the best way to get a Russian IP address is to use a trustworthy VPN with military-grade encryption over a proxy server.
Other methods include the Tor network and Secure Shell (SSH) tunnels. While these are also great options, they all have limitations. The Tor network slows down your browsing speeds considerably, while SSH tunnels require technical expertise to set up. Using a VPN is the easiest way to get a Russian IP address.
Should I use a free VPN to get a Russian IP address?
No. Most free VPNs simply aren’t safe. They often don’t have the resources to provide robust security or even virtual servers that can offer Russian IP addresses safely. A much better option is to use a low-cost VPN with a risk-free money-back guarantee. These offer far better speeds, reliability, and security, along with more stringent privacy policies.
That’s because free VPNs often make money by selling customer data. This is on top of data caps, bandwidth restrictions, slow speeds, and congested servers. Some may still use physical servers in Russia, which means they log and store user data and restrict your access to the internet while you’re using them.
How can I check if I'm using a Russian IP address?
You can see if you’re using a Russian IP address by using an online tool. As soon as you connect your VPN to a Russian IP address, go to the online tool and wait for the results. If your results display a Russian IP address, then you know it’s working.
What are the dangers of using a Russian IP address?
There are little security and privacy risks from using a Russian IP address. As long as you choose a secure VPN with high levels of encryption and a strict no-logs policy, your data will be protected from online dangers.
That said, make sure you’re getting a Russian IP address from a virtual server. Any VPN using physical servers in Russia legally has to log and store your data and prevent access to a wide range of websites.
Be aware that many international websites and streaming platforms block Russian IP addresses. This is due to the country's strict censorship laws and some platforms pulling services from the country. These services include:
- Netflix
- Disney+
- Youtube
- TikTok
- Google News
- BBC News
To access these websites and apps, you’ll need to connect to a different IP address.
Is using a VPN for a Russian IP address safe?
Yes. Using a VPN to obtain a Russian IP address is a safe and reliable method as long as you’re using a reliable VPN that offers robust security measures and maintains a strong commitment to user privacy. I’ve only recommended VPNs that use virtual servers to provide Russian IP addresses to help you maintain your online privacy.
Get a Russian IP Address in Minutes
The best way to get a Russian IP address is to use a reliable VPN. It replaces your actual IP address with a Russian one by redirecting your traffic through a virtual server. An additional benefit of this is that it encrypts your data and stops recording your online activity.
Out of the VPNs I tested, my favorite one for Russia is CyberGhost. It’s the fastest VPN that I tested, and it only uses virtual servers to provide Russian IP addresses, helping to keep you safe against Russian surveillance laws. It also has a 45-day money-back guarantee so that you can test all of its features risk-free. If you don’t like it, you can ask for a refund.
To summarize, these are the best VPNs to get a Russian IP address…
Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!
Your IP Address:
Your Location:
Your Internet Provider:
The information above can be used to track you, target you for ads, and monitor what you do online.
VPNs can help you hide this information from websites so that you are protected at all times. We recommend ExpressVPN — the #1 VPN out of over 350 providers we've tested. It has military-grade encryption and privacy features that will ensure your digital security, plus — it's currently offering 49% off.
About the Author
Doris is a tech writer and a cybersecurity researcher for vpnMentor. She is enthusiastic about educating people about their rights to online freedom and provides actionable ways to protect their data.
