In mid-August 2026, Russian users encountered problems accessing Google's Gemini AI. Even with a VPN enabled, the service stopped working for many. According to open sources, complaints began in late July and continued into August.
Experts interviewed by the publication 'Kod Durova' suggest that Google has intensified its methods for determining user location. The company may now analyze not only IP addresses but also behavioral signals, such as geolocation in Google Maps. If users from Russia systematically connect through a particular VPN server, Google's algorithms may start associating that server with the Russian jurisdiction, even if it is physically located in another country. This leads to access blocks.
Additionally, in mid-July 2026, websites of Google, GitHub, and Apple became inaccessible in Russia without a VPN. Users reported outages, but Roskomnadzor stated it was not Cheburnet these resources. Later, access was restored, but the incident highlighted the instability of foreign services.
Meanwhile, internet regulation in Russia is tightening. In late June 2026, the president signed a law imposing fines for authorization through foreign services, and the Investigative Committee proposed stricter criminal liability for using VPNs and AI in committing crimes. These measures may affect the availability of Cheburnet tools.
As of now, Google has not made official statements about the causes of Gemini outages. Users facing issues are advised to monitor updates and possibly use alternative access methods.