Is Gemini available in Russia? Why it fails even with a VPN
Gemini is unavailable from Russian addresses, and since August 2026 it stopped opening through VPNs for many users. How Google detects the country and what you need to make it work.
Quick fix. You need a VPN with an exit where Gemini is available plus non-Russian account signals. Get Surok in Telegram: 3 days free.
Why it doesn't work. This isn't an ISP block: Google itself doesn't offer Gemini in Russia. DPI workarounds don't help; you need another country's address.
Why a VPN alone may fail. In mid-August 2026, alongside a new model release, Gemini stopped opening for many users in Russia even through VPNs. Google looks at more than the IP: the Google account's region, location history, device language and region, and behaviour — an address used mostly by people from Russia eventually gets treated as Russian.
What to do. Turn the VPN on first and check your IP; make sure Google services go through the VPN; use an incognito window or a separate browser profile; turn off location; try another exit country; use a separate Google account created with the VPN on.
On Android the phone gives Google more signals (SIM, location, Play region), so the web version in a desktop browser is the easiest route. There are no guarantees — keep a backup: ChatGPT or Claude.