Another wave of removals from the Russian App Store

Apple has removed several apps from the VK ecosystem from the Russian App Store without prior notice, including VKontakte, VK Messenger, VK Music, and VK Video. As a result, iPhone users can no longer officially download or update these services, and some functionality related to push notifications for messages and activity is also affected.

In practical terms, this means the VK ecosystem on Apple devices is gradually degrading for part of its user base: without updates, apps become less stable over time, and notifications may stop working properly. For Russia’s largest social platform, this creates additional pressure on its iOS mobile audience.

VK stated that it has not been subject to sanctions restrictions and considers Apple’s decision unilateral. The company’s press service emphasized that all required legal information had been provided earlier, but this did not affect the final outcome. At the same time, discussions about the national messenger MAX resurfaced in public discourse as a potential alternative to foreign platforms. However, following the VK app removals, there has been little visible large-scale promotional activity around the project recently.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov commented on the situation, noting that users can switch to Android devices if they need an alternative to Apple’s ecosystem.

However, such recommendations triggered ironic reactions on social media, where users point out that dependence on major tech platforms remains a key issue for digital infrastructure.

According to industry observers, this is not an isolated case: in 2025 alone, more than 1,200 apps were removed from the Russian App Store, reflecting a continued tightening of platform policies.

VK stated that it will continue supporting its services on available platforms and via web versions, but for iOS users this increasingly means reduced functionality or a gradual shift to alternative devices.