how to get a Russian IP address

In order to obtain an IP address for Russia, you’ll need a VPN. Short for “Virtual Private Network”, a VPN encrypts your device’s incoming and outgoing traffic and routes it through one of the VPN’s servers in a different location: in this case, a server located in Russia. This hides your true IP address and location and means you can access geo-restricted websites, content, and Russian TV from anywhere in the world.

We’re going to discuss all of the best VPNs in detail below and answer some common VPN and IP address questions. But, if you don’t have time to read the full article, here’s a quick summary:

The best VPNs to get a Russian IP address:

  1. CyberGhost: Our #1 choice for Russia. Has virtual server locations providing IP addresses in Moscow. Fast speeds and great for streaming. Doesn’t collect logs and offers 24/7 support. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.
  2. Proton VPN: Approximately 53 servers in Russia. Fast connection speeds and lots of security features, including an ad, tracker, and malware blocker.
  3. PureVPN: Large server network (6,000+ servers) and absolutely no bandwidth throttling. Automatic obfuscation and no identifying logs.
  4. Hotspot Shield: Has its own connection protocol for obfuscation. Servers in 80+ countries, including Russia. No identifying logs and has 24/7 support.

How to get an IP address for Russia

The simplest way to obtain an IP address for any country, including Russia, is to use a VPN. But don’t worry if you’ve never used one before — the process is quite straightforward.

Here’s how to get a Russian IP address with a VPN:

  1. Choose a VPN service with servers in Russia. We particularly recommend CyberGhost.
  2. Purchase and download the VPN software for your device. Be sure to select the correct version for your operating system.
  3. Open the VPN app (or browser extension if available). Connect to a server in Russia. This will give you a Russian IP address.
  4. Try out the geo-restricted Russian website or service, which should now be unblocked.
  5. Enjoy unrestricted access to geo-restricted content!
  6. If you encounter any problems, try another server or try clearing your browser’s cookies. If you’re still struggling, contact your VPN’s customer support.

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Russian IP address VPN criteria

The VPNs on our list will help you gain a Russian IP address while giving you the best level of protection and service. Before making any recommendations, we tested providers in the following key areas:

  • Network suitability: We started by looking at which providers were able to offer Russian IP addresses — using servers either physically or virtually located in the country. Next, we checked which providers had effective obfuscation that could bypass advanced VPN detection methods.
  • Speed: So that you can make the most of your Russian IP address, we looked for providers that were fast enough for tasks such as streaming, gaming and torrenting. Multiple speed tests were carried out while connected to each provider’s servers in Russia.
  • Security and privacy: Given Russia’s attitude toward online freedom, it’s a good idea to use a VPN that can adequately hide your online activities. As such, we’ve only recommended providers that scored highly against our 16 security and privacy criteria.
  • Ease of use: We looked for VPNs that were easy for anyone to use — regardless of their experience. We used 10 different criteria for assessing which VPNs had the most user-friendly services.
  • Streaming: We used nine metrics for evaluating each VPN’s ability to access geo-restricted Russian streaming services as well as their ability to navigate blocks imposed by popular international platforms.

This is just a short overview. You can read a more detailed account of our VPN testing methodology below. First, let’s take a look at the providers that impressed us.

Best VPNs for a Russian IP address compared

We’ve compared the most important features for the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with CyberGhost – our #1 choice for a Russian IP address.

No valueCyberGhostProton VPNPureVPNHotspot Shield
WebsiteCyberghost.comProtonVPN.comPureVPN.comHotspotshield.com
Ranking for Russian IP1234
Server countries1001176680+
Total number of servers8,000+12,6606,000+1.800
Simultaneous Connections7Free: 1, VPN Plus: 1010Up to 10
Devices SupportedWindows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWindows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, Android, Chromebook Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Chromebook, RoutersWindows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, Chrome, Smart TVs, Routers
Best deal (per month)$2.19
SAVE 83% on the 2 year plan + 2 months free!
$3.59
SAVE 64% on a 2-year plan
$1.99
85% off the 5-yr standard plan
$2.99
SAVE 77% ON THE 3 YEAR PLAN

The best VPNs to get a Russian IP address

Here are the best VPNs for gaining a Russian IP address:

1. CyberGhost

CyberGhost Jun 2025

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 8.2 / 10
Ease of use: 9.1 / 10
Network suitability: 5.0 / 10
Russia speed testing: 10.0 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.9 / 10
Streaming: 7.8 / 10

Website:  www.Cyberghost.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

CyberGhost is our top choice VPN for a Russian IP address. It has virtual servers that provide users with Russian IP addresses. Overall, it has approximately 10,000 servers in 100+ countries.

While connected to its virtual server location in Russia, we recorded speeds averaging 140.88 Mbps. As a rough guide, this is fast enough for streaming 4K video on five devices simultaneously.

Using the provider’s streaming servers, you can access everything from Russian TV like RTR, to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Streaming Netflix.
Streaming Netflix using CyberGhost.

CyberGhost is a beginner-friendly VPN with easy-to-use apps and 24/7 customer support over live chat for any problems. It also offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free.

For security, the provider incorporates 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an always-on kill switch. There’s also automatic ad and malware-blocking built-in, and CyberGhost doesn’t log any personally identifiable information.

CyberGhost's kill switch.
CyberGhost’s kill switch ensures that you don’t expose your true IP address if the VPN connection drops out.

CyberGhost offers apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on select network routers.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want a virtual Russian IP without exposing your data
  • You’re primarily interested in streaming Russian content like Russia 1, Match TV, or ivi
  • You need beginner-friendly apps and don’t want to worry about advanced configurations
  • You want a long refund window (45 days) for risk-free testing
  • You want clearly labeled streaming-optimized servers that work with Netflix and other streaming platforms

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You require physical Russian servers for maximum compatibility with local services

OUR TOP CHOICE VPN:CyberGhost has plenty of Russian IP addresses available and a vast server network that works with Netflix without issue. Fast speeds, easy-to-use apps, and 24/7 live chat support. Comes with a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

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2. Proton VPN

Proton VPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 7.5 / 10
Ease of use: 8.8 / 10
Network suitability: 4.8 / 10
Russia speed testing: 8.1 / 10
Security & privacy: 9.3 / 10
Streaming: 6.7 / 10

Website:  www.ProtonVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS

Proton VPN has approximately 53 servers in Moscow, Russia – far more than most VPNs. This makes it very easy to access your usual websites and services when you travel outside Russia. Note that around 28 of its Russian servers are suitable for streaming.

Speeds while connected to ProtonVPN’s Russian servers ranged between 129.88 Mbps and 139.12 Mbps. This is fast enough for a range of everyday activities, including multiplayer gaming and high-resolution streaming.

Overall, the provider has more than 12,000 servers in 117 countries. It works well with various streaming services in Russia, including Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video.

Streaming Hulu.
Streaming Hulu using ProtonVPN.

Security and privacy protection are arguably Proton VPN’s greatest strengths. There’s no shortage of security features, such as 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. However, Proton VPN stands out from many other VPNs with NetShield (for blocking ads, trackers, and malware) and Secure Core (Double VPN servers). Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland and has a no-logs policy.

ProtonVPN's connection options.
ProtonVPN has a Stealth protocol for disguising VPN traffic as regular web traffic.

Proton VPN apps can be downloaded and installed for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions are also available, and certain Wi-Fi routers can even be manually configured.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want physical Russian servers for the most authentic and reliable IP address experience
  • You prioritize top-tier privacy and security features like Secure Core and NetShield
  • You want a VPN with strong, independently audited no-logs practices
  • You value a balanced blend of speed and security

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You’re looking for the cheapest option
  • You prefer a VPN with a wide variety of platform-specific apps

53 RUSSIAN SERVERS:Proton makes it easy to get a Russian IP address. Fast connections with no bandwidth throttling. Impressive array of security features and has a true no-logs policy. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Proton VPN review.

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3. PureVPN

PureVPN

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 7.6 / 10
Ease of use: 9.1 / 10
Network suitability: 9.7 / 10
Russia speed testing: 3.0 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.7 / 10
Streaming: 7.3 / 10

Website:  www.PureVPN.com

Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS

PureVPN has a large server network, with more than 6,000 servers available in 65+ countries. This includes servers in Russia, allowing you to get a Russian IP address with ease.

In our tests for this article, PureVPN’s average speed measured 113.28 Mbps. This is fast enough for bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming, torrenting, and online gaming.

The unblocking ability of PureVPN is also impressive. Indeed, it worked with Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu in testing (Russian TV channels pose absolutely no problem either).

Streaming Netflix.
Streaming Netflix using PureVPN.

Security-wise, you can expect 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a built-in kill switch. PureVPN also offers automatic obfuscation that can evade VPN-detection methods used in China and, more recently, Russia. The provider doesn’t keep identifying logs, and these claims have been independently audited.

You can access PureVPN’s Russian servers via its apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Brave. Using the service with routers requires manual setup.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want reliable access to Russian streaming services, plus international platforms like Netflix
  • You’re looking for an affordable long-term subscription (especially the 5-year plan)
  • You prefer VPNs that balance streaming access with security features
  • You want browser extensions and Smart TV support

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You want a service with a spotless privacy reputation
  • You need the best speed performance for 4K streaming or online gaming

GENEROUS SERVER NETWORK:PureVPN has more than 6,000 servers in 65 countries — including in Russia. Good speeds and unlimited bandwidth and even works with the likes of Netflix. No identifying logs and has 24/7 live chat support. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PureVPN review.

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4. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield

Apps Available:

  • PC
  • Mac
  • IOS
  • Android
  • Linux

VPN Ratings:

Overall score: 6.9 / 10
Ease of use: 9.1 / 10
Network suitability: 8.6 / 10
Russia speed testing: 1.7 / 10
Security & privacy: 8.6 / 10
Streaming: 6.7 / 10

Website:  www.Hotspotshield.com

Money-back guarantee: 45 DAYS

Editor's Note: Hotspot Shield is owned by Point Wild, Comparitech's parent company.

Hotspot Shield stands out for offering servers in more than 80 countries, Russia included. This makes it highly suitable for traveling. With a Russian IP address, you’ll be able to stream Russian TV, such as Russia-1 and Channel One, from abroad. Using its dedicated streaming servers in the UK and US, you can also access platforms such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

Streaming BBC iPlayer.
Streaming BBC iPlayer using Hotspot Shield.

While connected to its servers in Russia, we recorded speeds of between 101.24 Mbps and 112.08 Mbps. This is more than quick enough for video calling or streaming in the highest resolution available. 

When you connect to a Hotspot Shield server, all of your internet traffic will be secured with 256-bit AES encryption. All versions of the app also include a kill switch feature and protection from DNS leaks. The provider has its own connection protocol that can avoid detection by Deep Packet Inspection, which is perfect for accessing websites or services blocked in Russia.

Hotspot Shield's protocol options.
The Hydra protocol obfuscates VPN traffic so that it passes as regular web traffic.

Hotspot Shield doesn’t keep any personally identifiable logs of its users. While easy to use, this VPN provider offers 24-hour support via live chat and email.

Hotspot Shield provides apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and Amazon Fire TV. There’s also a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. However, manual setup is needed in order to use it with a compatible Wi-Fi router.

Buy this VPN if:

  • You want a VPN with a proprietary obfuscation protocol (Hydra) to bypass Russian censorship
  • You need a Russian IP but also want to connect to other regions (80+ countries covered)
  • You’re looking for a straightforward, user-friendly interface
  • You need 24/7 live chat and email support for fast problem resolution

Don’t buy this VPN if:

  • You want to pay via anonymous methods like Bitcoin (HSS doesn’t support it)
  • You’re on a tight budget (The single-month plan is expensive)

SERVERS IN 80 COUNTRIES:Hotspot Shield has its own connection protocol and doesn’t throttle user bandwidth. Use it to stream Russian TV and even Netflix US. Highly secure and has 24/7 support. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

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Methodology: How we choose the best VPNs for Russia

Selecting a VPN for Russia isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. To be included in our list, VPNs had to perform well in the following areas:

Network suitability

To get a Russian IP address, you need a VPN provider with servers physically or virtually located in Russia. To avoid congestion and keep your options for connecting to a nearby server open, we also scored providers on the overall size of their networks. Finally, we scored them on their ability to disguise VPN traffic as regular web traffic to avoid detection on Russian (or any other restrictive) networks.

These scores were appropriately weighted and then summed to create overall scores out of 10 for each provider.

PureVPN was the standout provider this time. It has a well-stocked network of servers in Russia and elsewhere, and its automatic obfuscation works well in restrictive countries such as China, Russia, and the UAE. Hotspot Shield is a good alternative thanks to its proprietary Hydra protocol, which provides efficient obfuscation.

Speed

There’s little point in getting a Russian IP address if it results in laggy connections and repeated buffering while streaming. To make sure we weren’t recommending any duds, we carried out multiple speed tests while connected to each provider’s Russian servers (both physical and virtual).

To better approximate the average user’s experience with each VPN, we rate-limited our base connection speed to 250 Mbps (which is slightly slower than the median fixed broadband speed in the US). Speeds were measured using the desktop version of the Ookla speed-testing app.

We took an average of the results and converted this to a score out of 10 for each VPN. This makes a side-by-side comparison possible.

CyberGhost was the fastest provider overall, with PureVPN a relatively close second. These are your best options for high-definition streaming and gaming while using a Russian IP address.

Security and privacy

Watertight encryption is vital in places like Russia, with heavy internet censorship. The VPNs we select must have a minimum of 256-bit AES encryption to ensure your connection remains private. We also look for VPNs with a no-logs policy, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and more. 

FeatureCyberGhostProton VPNPureVPNHotspot Shield
Activity logsNo activity logsNo activity logsNo activity logsNo activity logs
IP logsNo IP logsNo IP logsNo IP logsNo IP logs
EncryptionAES-128 or higherAES-128 or higherAES-128 or higherAES-128 or higher
AuthenticationSHA-256SHA-512SHA-256SHA-512
Keys4096-bit2048-bit4096-bit2048-bit
Perfect Forward SecrecyYesYesYesYes
DNS leak protectionYesYesYesYes
IPv6 leak protectionYesYesYesYes
Private DNSYesYesYesYes
Torrenting allowedYesYesYesYes
Kill switchAll platformsAll platformsSome platformsSome platforms
HQ outside 9 eyesYesYesYesNo
ObfuscationStealthStealthAutomaticStealth
Supported protocolsSecure protocols onlySecure protocols onlySecure protocols onlyOwn protocol
Anonymous payment optionsMultipleOneOneNone
Additional security featuresNoYesNoNo

As the terms used above are unfamiliar to many people, we provide an overview of the test results in the chart below.

ProtonVPN’s score of 9.3 was highest. It has plenty of advanced security features and goes to great lengths to protect its customers’ privacy — including having multiple independent audits of its no-logs policy. CyberGhost was the strongest alternative.

Ease of use

To make getting a Russian IP address as straightforward as possible, we’ve only recommended providers that have easy-to-use apps and strong customer support. You can see how we differentiated between providers in the table below.

FeatureCyberGhostProton VPNPureVPNHotspot Shield
Apps for all major platformsYesYesYesYes
Novice-friendly designYesYesYesYes
Ease of signup (reviewer to score)4434
Router supportStandardStandardAppStandard
Unblocking consistencyGreatGreatGreatGreat
Task specific serversYesYesYesNo
Network60+ countries60+ countries60+ countries60+ countries
Ease of cancellationVery easyVery easyVery easyVery easy
InterfaceA little clutteredTakes some getting used toA little clutteredWell-organised
Feature parityMost features available on all versionsMost features available on all versionsMost features available on all versionsMost features available on all versions

If you’d prefer an overview, the following chart combines the scores of each test metric.

CyberGhost, PureVPN and Hotspot Shield all scored an impressive 9.1. They all have beginner-friendly apps and make tasks like streaming about as easy as it can be.

Streaming

For most people, it’s important that they can access their favorite websites like Netflix or news sites from abroad. We tested each VPN provider’s ability to evade geo-restrictions, as well as looking for other pro-streaming features.

FeatureCyberGhostProton VPNPureVPNHotspot Shield
Number of locations in relevant country5+ locations5+ locations5+ locations5+ locations
Regional speed test results100-299 Mbps100-299 Mbps100-299 Mbps100-299 Mbps
Includes ad-blocker?YesYesNoNo
Works in high-censorship countriesNoNoYesYes
Offers a smart DNS serviceNoNoNoNo
Streaming device apps2+ apps1 app2+ apps1 app
Can Unblock Tier 1 StreamingReliablyUnreliablyUnreliablyUnreliably
Can Unblock Tier 2 StreamingYesYesYesYes
Can Unblock Tier 3 StreamingYesYesYesYes

Each of the above metrics was assigned a score based on its relative importance. These scores were combined to generate an overall score out of 10 for each provider.

CyberGhost’s score of 7.8 was highest overall. The provider works with Russian TV as well as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Moreover, it maintains a list of servers labeled with the streaming services that they work best with. This takes the guesswork out of finding working servers. PureVPN is the next-best option. It, too, makes accessing streaming platforms easier by providing a list that links directly to the appropriate servers.

Getting a Russian IP address: FAQs

Are VPNs legal in Russia?

You might have heard about Russia introducing a VPN ban, but the reality is that these services are still legal — you just have to use one of the government-approved providers. We’ll let you decide for yourself how secure these services really are, but will simply mention that Russian laws allow the government to demand access to a VPN provider’s servers, which is why many Western providers have pulled out of Russia entirely.

*Disclaimer: While we have researched this topic thoroughly, nothing in our article should be taken as legal advice. Our goal is to provide you with the best information and solutions. Comparitech does not encourage or condone using a VPN illegally. We advise researching your country’s laws and the terms of use for specific streaming platforms before using a VPN to access their content.

Do I need a VPN while in Russia?

Freedom House rated Russia’s internet as “Not Free” in Freedom on the Net 2024, scoring the country 13/100 (with zero being the most free and 100 being the least). This is down from 19/100 in 2022, meaning Russia now has one of the most restrictive versions of the internet anywhere in the world.

Russian authorities have censored a wide range of online content. Notably, authorities blocked Telegram after the platform refused to hand encryption keys to Russia’s Federal Security Service. LinkedIn was blocked in Russia after a Russian court ruled it violated the law regarding foreign-held data.

With authorities in Russia continuing to block websites (including those of VPNs) and even passing legislation that bans VPNs, it’s clear that internet freedom is severely limited in Russia. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and as a result of sanctions imposed on Russia as punishment, there has been a more significant crackdown on internet freedoms than was previously in place. Russia wishes to prevent its internet users from sharing information with outside entities surrounding the facts of its invasion and leaking intelligence that may benefit Russian enemies.

By obtaining a VPN for Russia, you can access geo-restricted websites and unblock government-censored content.

Can I use a free VPN to get a Russian IP address?

While you can use a free VPN to get a Russian IP address, you may find it something of a challenge. That’s because free VPNs are usually of poor quality. Often with very few servers and too many users, they’re subject to all sorts of restrictions such as limited bandwidth. You’ll, therefore, find that free VPNs can be very slow and this makes streaming movies and TV shows quite irritating as there’s plenty of buffering and lag.

However, just as important as performance is security. Internet censorship and mass surveillance are present in Russia and this means a VPN is vital if you want to protect your privacy and anonymity in the country. Unfortunately, free VPNs aren’t very safe. Some free VPNs are infected with malware, while others sell your data to third parties.

Which websites don’t work in Russia?

While a Russian IP address can help you access websites and services outside Russia, it won’t be much help if you’re in Russia. That’s because many sites are blacklisted due to the high level of internet censorship in the country. You’d therefore, need an IP address of another country (such as the US, UK or Australia, for example) in order to access them.

Should you come across a restricted site in Russia, chances are you’ll come across a page with a message that translates as: “Dear users, We apologize, but access to the requested resource is limited.” This is then followed by a list of possible reasons for the restriction.

Some of the most high-profile websites and services that are blocked in Russia include the messaging service Telegram, banned by court order in April 2018, and Dailymotion, a video-sharing service blocked in January 2017. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has also banned several popular websites, including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Google News, BBC News, NPR, Die Welt, and AOL. You can use our free security tool if you’d like to check if any website is blocked in Russia.

Unfortunately, most VPN websites are also blocked in Russia, making it difficult for Russian citizens to download VPNs for personal use.