Apple Removes VK and Mail.ru Apps From App Store, Prompting Russian Backlash

Apple removed several major VK and Mail.ru applications from the App Store, including VKontakte, VK Music, VK Messenger, VK Video, Odnoklassniki, and other related services, triggering protests from VK and Russian officials. VK said the apps were taken down without prior notice or explanation and argued the move was unjustified and politically motivated, maintaining that the company itself is not under sanctions. Apple told BBC News Russia that the removals were required to comply with sanctions regulations, but did not specify which restrictions applied.

The Kremlin condemned the decision as political censorship and questioned Apple’s reliability as a service provider. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov urged Russian users to move to Android and domestic alternatives, while VK said its apps remain available through RuStore, Google Play, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Store, Xiaomi Store, and official websites. The dispute adds to broader tensions over sanctions enforcement and app distribution in Russia, where authorities have also pushed Apple to allow third-party app stores such as RuStore.