Unfortunately, in addition to blocking LinkedIn for storing Russian users’ information on foreign servers, Russia has also banned VPNs. This is to prevent access to restricted sites. After testing 40+ VPNs, I found out ExpressVPN is one of the few that work flawlessly in Russia. Plus, it’s super-fast and has a special privacy protection feature. If you decide you don’t like it after you get ExpressVPN for LinkedIn, you’ll have 30 days to ask for a refund. Get ExpressVPN for LinkedIn
Quick Guide: How to Unblock LinkedIn From Russia in 3 Easy Steps
Access LinkedIn with ExpressVPN
Why is LinkedIn blocked in Russia?
The Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor blocked LinkedIn in the country because it didn’t comply with the local data storage laws. Regulations require LinkedIn to store data on Russian users locally instead of the data centers that LinkedIn uses in the US and Singapore. Russia claims the law protects its citizens’ data. However, many believe that it’s just an easier way for the government to access personal information and spy on Russian citizens and tourists. Although LinkedIn appealed the ban, the site was unsuccessful.
How a VPN Works With LinkedIn in Russia
The Roskomnadzor uses local ISPs to block LinkedIn like Rostelecom. These ISPs also identify and block connections made through VPNs, which is why most of them don’t work in Russia. However, some of the best VPNs in 2023 like ExpressVPN are difficult for anti-VPN technologies to detect because of their strong obfuscation features. Additionally, VPNs have servers in many other countries like the US and Ukraine where LinkedIn is not blocked. When you connect to a VPN server in Ukraine from Russia, your traffic is encrypted and hidden from local ISPs. The VPN also conceals your IP address in Russia and assigns you a new one from Ukraine. Since the Russian ISPs can’t see your actual location or which sites you’re visiting, you’ll have access to LinkedIn even though you’re still in Russia.
The Best VPNs for LinkedIn (Tested 2023)
1. ExpressVPN — #1 VPN to Access LinkedIn in Russia With Blazing-Fast Speeds and Top-Notch Privacy Features
Key Features: ExpressVPN is the overall best VPN to access LinkedIn in Russia because it has super-fast servers around the world and uses the cybersecurity industry’s most advanced privacy features. Besides that, ExpressVPN has a responsive and knowledgeable customer support team that always answered my questions within 1 minute during tests. I found ExpressVPN’s servers in Ukraine super-fast during tests, averaging 88Mbps even though I was 5,000 miles away. It allowed me to post a 2.3GB video on LinkedIn in less than 4 minutes. A similar video might load even faster for you in Russia since your data doesn’t have to travel nearly as far. For the best speeds, connect to a server near you using the ‘Smart Location’ button. Plus, ExpressVPN backs its no-log policy with proprietary TrustedServer technology. It uses RAM-based networks so nothing is recorded on the servers you use to log into your LinkedIn account, and your activities are private. Even if someone accessed ExpressVPN’s facilities, there’d be nothing to identify you. Another reason ExpressVPN is a top choice in Russia to access platforms like LinkedIn is that it keeps your private messages secure with:
Military-grade encryption — secures your data with the most secure cipher available to ensure no Russian spies or hackers can monitor who you’re messaging on LinkedIn. IP leak protection — makes sure all your interactions on LinkedIn take place within the encrypted tunnel as long as you’re connected to ExpressVPN’s server. Network Lock — disables the internet when it’s unstable to prevent your real location from being exposed to Russian firewalls. Privacy-friendly jurisdiction — headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, where your online activities aren’t monitored or recorded. Anonymous payment option — accepts Bitcoin so you never have to share any identifiable personal details with ExpressVPN.
You can use LinkedIn’s features simultaneously on up to 5 devices with ExpressVPN. Installing the app on my Windows computer took less than 3 minutes even on my first-ever attempt. When I tested ExpressVPN’s connection limit, my 2 laptops, computer, and 2 smartphones all worked without performance issues. The only downside to using ExpressVPN for Russia is that it’s pricey compared to other VPNs on this list. However, no other VPN was as fast as ExpressVPN or had the same powerful privacy and security bonuses. For these reasons, I find ExpressVPN’s 1-year plan has the best price at $6.67 a month. It’s also one of the top monthly VPNs if you prefer to start with a shorter-term commitment. When you get ExpressVPN to unblock LinkedIn in Russia, your subscription is protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like how it works in the country, you can just ask for a refund via 24/7 live chat. I sent a message and received a response within a minute saying that it was processed. 4 days later, I got my money back. Get ExpressVPN for LinkedIn
2. CyberGhost — Avoid Hackers and Spies When Accessing LinkedIn With Russian Public Hotspots
Key Features: CyberGhost has WiFi Protection to keep your LinkedIn activities private from third parties. The free public hotspots in airports and restaurants in Moscow aren’t secure, so hackers love to exploit them. I set up CyberGhost to automatically connect to a local server when my laptop detects public WiFi. The feature allowed me to safely log into my account and host a LinkedIn Event without worrying about uninvited hackers. CyberGhost also has:
HMAC authentication — verifies that your LinkedIn messages or other data haven’t been altered in transit and that it’s from a trusted source. NoSpy servers — owned and operated privately in its privacy-friendly headquarters in Romania to prevent your data from being tampered with by third-party server farms. Audited no-log policy — confirmed by independent auditors at Deloitte that CyberGhost doesn’t log your data. Private subscription — allows you to pay with Bitcoin to remain anonymous to CyberGhost.
I had very fast connections with a local CyberGhost server during a conference call on LinkedIn Video Meeting. My audio and video quality were both smooth and clear throughout our 50-minute call. Connecting to one of CyberGhost’s 20+ servers in Ukraine from Russia will give you the fastest speeds to avoid lags during online meetings or job interviews. Since CyberGhost has intuitive apps for all major devices you only have to subscribe, install the correct app, and connect to a server near Russia. This took me about 5 minutes. CyberGhost has similar interfaces across platforms but on some apps like Windows, you’ll see additional functions like split tunneling. The one minor issue I had is that CyberGhost’s monthly subscription only gives you 14 days to ask for a refund if you don’t like how it works with LinkedIn in Russia. But the 2-year + 3 months plan gave me a generous 45-day money-back guarantee for just $2.11 a month. If you get CyberGhost for LinkedIn in Russia, rest assured that the money-back guarantee is trustworthy because I tested it. Just contact a support agent via its 24/7 live chat. In less than a minute, someone confirmed my refund was being processed. A week later, I had my money. Get CyberGhost for LinkedIn
3. PIA — Huge Network Avoids Server Congestion When Using LinkedIn From Russia
Key Features: PIA has a large network to prevent slowdowns when you use LinkedIn in Russia. When a VPN server is congested, it gets backlogged since its processing power and bandwidth are stretched. But since PIA has 35,000+ servers worldwide including across Asia and Europe, my speeds never dipped below 60Mbps on Ukraine servers as my LinkedIn Poll result updated in real-time. When I tested the Unlimited device limit using servers in multiple countries at the same time, PIA handled my uploads to LinkedIn flawlessly. You can get unlimited connections in Russia by installing PIA to a compatible router, but it’s quite technical and took me an hour. It’s easier to get a FlashRouter with PIA pre-installed since there’s no setup and you can get connected right away. Since spies and hackers are a constant threat when you use LinkedIn to expand your professional circle in Russia, PIA’s advanced security features keep your interactions private. Besides the standard kill switch, IP leak protection, and military-grade encryption, PIA also has:
Advanced kill switch — reconnects PIA before your internet turns on when there’s been an interruption to prevent leaking your private information. InBrowser for Android and iOS — deletes all data and history from a session if you prefer accessing LinkedIn on a private browser instead of the app. Private payment mode — accepts gift cards from major brands if you don’t want to share any personal information with PIA.
Unfortunately, PIA is based in the US, a member of the 5 Eyes Alliance instead of a privacy-friendly country like ExpressVPN. Still, I felt safe using it with LinkedIn because PIA’s no-log policy has been independently audited and verified. Plus, the Russian government seized its servers once and found nothing. The best way to use PIA with LinkedIn in Russia is to get the 2-year + 3 months plan for $2.11 a month. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so if it’s not what you expected, you can ask for a refund. I sent an email and heard from a representative the same day saying it’ll be processed the next day. I got my money back in 10 days. Get PIA for LinkedIn Get CyberGhost for free Additionally, the Russian government restricts VPN use by requiring all VPN providers to comply with its data retention laws and block websites that are banned in the country. It has also requested VPN companies to register with the government. Agreeing to these terms would give the Russian government access to user data, but refusing can get VPN companies fined or blocked. This has caused many VPN providers to pull out their servers in Russia. However, VPNs are still widely used in the country to access global content without restrictions. Only VPNs with an obfuscation feature can get past Russian blocks. Fortunately, other top VPNs for Russia like CyberGhost and PIA also let you access LinkedIn easily. If you’re already in Russia, you might still be able to download one of these VPNs on Android devices with an APK file.
Go to your profile by clicking your name Scroll down to the footer where it says ‘Select Language’ Click the dropdown menu and select ‘Russian’ from the list
Free VPNs have very few servers and these are usually overcrowded with users. This affects how long it takes for you to post videos and how good your call quality will be if you have meetings online through LinkedIn. Some free VPNs cap your data so you can’t do much more than check your messages and like a few posts. The worst experience I had was when a free VPN injected malware to my computer and corrupted my files. Thankfully, my identity wasn’t stolen and sold on the dark web as it can happen with some free VPNs with hidden malware. Free VPNs aren’t worth the risk, so I recommend taking advantage of the money-back guarantee that comes with a premium VPN like CyberGhost. You can use it to access LinkedIn safely in Russia for free for 45 days. After that, you can just cancel your account and ask for a refund.
Final Word
If you’re traveling to Russia, you’ll have trouble accessing LinkedIn because it’s blocked in the country. Unfortunately, without regular posting and engagement, you risk having your account penalized by the platform. Or worse, you could miss an important message and lose a career opportunity you’ve been working towards for years. I’ve tested dozens of VPNs to find a few that can help you stay active on LinkedIn from Russia. ExpressVPN is the best for Russia as it has lightning-fast speeds and advanced privacy protection features. If you’re not satisfied, you can easily ask for a refund since ExpressVPN offers a 30 day money-back guarantee.
