August 22, 2023

Get Another Search Engine


Get Another Search Engine
Google stall at an event in Cologne, Germany. Rajeshwar Bachu, Unsplash.

Moscow's Court District No. 422 has levied a three-million-ruble ($31,500) fine on Google following the company's refusal to take down specific content per requests of Russian authorities. At the same time, many Russian users are reporting issues when using the site.

Interfax and TASS correspondents reporting from the courtroom reveal that the fine pertains to a YouTube video discussing Russia’s War on Ukraine and providing instructions on accessing “protected facilities.” The videos in question, which focused on subjects such as "Ukrainian children" and "events in the Kherson region," were highlighted by a RIA Novosti correspondent who refrained from disclosing further details.

With this latest penalty, Google now faces its 28th fine under Article 13.41 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, a string of sanctions initiated since the spring of 2021. The surge of fines began against the backdrop of demonstrations supporting opposition leader Alexei Navalny, propelling Roskomnadzor to request the company to implement content filtering.

Connection issues have emerged among Russian users of the search engine, as indicated by data from GlobalCheck. According to Meduza, users in Russia must connect via a VPN in order to use Google. Reports of disruptions in Google's services have been submitted by hundreds of users all over Russia, such as Moscow,  St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, Yekaterinburg, and Nizhny Novgorod.

You Might Also Like

  • August 15, 2023

"I Am Horrified"

The founder of Russian tech giant Yandex publicly condemns the War on Ukraine.
Is Wikipedia Next?
  • April 09, 2023

Is Wikipedia Next?

The Russian government ordered Wikipedia to delete 133 pages about its war on Ukraine. Now the online encyclopedia may be banned in Russia altogether.
Bye-Bye, YouTube?
  • February 23, 2023

Bye-Bye, YouTube?

The news outlet Meduza has suggested that it is likely the Russian government will block YouTube in the near future.
Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of our Books

Woe From Wit (bilingual)
June 20, 2017

Woe From Wit (bilingual)

One of the most famous works of Russian literature, the four-act comedy in verse Woe from Wit skewers staid, nineteenth century Russian society, and it positively teems with “winged phrases” that are essential colloquialisms for students of Russian and Russian culture.

Russian Rules
November 16, 2011

Russian Rules

From the shores of the White Sea to Moscow and the Northern Caucasus, Russian Rules is a high-speed thriller based on actual events, terrifying possibilities, and some really stupid decisions.

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
November 03, 2014

The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

Life Stories
September 01, 2009

Life Stories

The Life Stories collection is a nice introduction to contemporary Russian fiction: many of the 19 authors featured here have won major Russian literary prizes and/or become bestsellers. These are life-affirming stories of love, family, hope, rebirth, mystery and imagination, masterfully translated by some of the best Russian-English translators working today. The selections reassert the power of Russian literature to affect readers of all cultures in profound and lasting ways. Best of all, 100% of the profits from the sale of this book are going to benefit Russian hospice—not-for-profit care for fellow human beings who are nearing the end of their own life stories.

Little Golden Calf
February 01, 2010

Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

About Us

Russian Life is the 31-year-old publication of an award-winning publishing house that also creates books, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955