Russia and Belarus: Different Paths in the Digital World

Russia and Belarus: A Social Media Divide. On May 18, 2025, a short video highlighted the differences in social media access between Russia and Belarus. A young Belarusian man noted the blocking of Instagram and YouTube in Russia, a point corroborated by the subsequent comments of a woman in the video. She explained that Russia utilizes domestically developed platforms like Rutube and VK Video, which operate under Russian legislation. This contrast underscores the distinct regulatory environments surrounding digital media in the two countries. The shared linguistic and historical ties between Russia and Belarus were also highlighted in the video, suggesting a deeper connection despite their differing approaches to internet regulation. This nuanced perspective makes for a compelling news story, especially given the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in the region.