Belarus blocks access to Russian social network VKontakte
October 24, Pozirk. Belarus blocked access to the Russian social network VKontakte (VK) on Friday at Committee for State Security request, according to the telecom watchdog BelGIE (BiełDIE).
Officials added the social network’s details to the list of restricted domain names without indicating the reason or duration for the blocking.
Last year, researchers from the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Sociology found that 22.2 percent of respondents in Belarus stated using VK.
The social network has often blocked “extremist” pages at Minsk’s request.
In 2023, VK silenced the Zerkalo news website, the Viasna Human Rights Center, the Mediazona news website, Belsat TV and other independent voices in its system.
On October 21 and 22, the Militant Black Metal Shop group and the Doloy Lukashenko! (Down with Łukašenka!) community on VK were recognized as “extremist content” by Belarusian court decisions.
- Politics, Society, SportMore sports federations lift restrictions on Belarus’ athletesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityZelensky says Ukraine acting to prevent threats from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyBelarus to expel five Catholic priests, one monk – reportThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecuritySenior Belarus’ diplomat doubts NATO’s defensive natureThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security, SocietyForeign ministry warns of risks in Poland after alleged gunshot incidentThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityUkraine to reinforce Chernihiv-Kyiv area amid threats from Belarus – ZelenskyThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityFlagshtok reports police raids, blackmail targeting employees’ familiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityVon der Leyen: Minsk, Moscow behind drone threats to EUThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityRussia mulls offensive from Belarus, Ukraine’s top commander warnsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPolice terrorizing alleged protestors after missing five-year deadline for prosecutionThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyRubels weakens against US dollar, strengthens against euro on May 20The material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- EconomyBelarus trade with Russia could rise to $70 billion this year – officialThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy, SocietyOver 20 forestry workers charged in corruption casesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy, PoliticsBelarus to gain access to Russian satellite communications serviceThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SocietyTut.by email functionality restricted five years after crackdownThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyAll Belarusian cement plants designated as dominant market playersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyBrest and Homiel regions, Minsk report GDP growth in January-AprilThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityLithuania sends ICAO evidence of balloon incursions from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+



