Ukraine Extends Ban On Popular Russian Websites

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has extended a ban on accessing several popular Russian websites for three years, reports an order from the Office of the President.

Websites such as email provider mail.ru, search engine Yandex, and social network Vkontakte, have been blocked from access in Ukraine since May 17, 2017, when then-President Petro Poroshenko signed a decree sanctioning those companies and their access from Ukraine.

Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council recommended the ban be extended on April 10 – it was initially for three years – under the administration of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who acquiesced to the NSDC recommendation. NSDC secretary Oleksiy Danilov will be responsible for ensuring the ban remains in place.