RuStore

Molniya Messenger Debuts in RuStore as Paid Alternative with End-to-End Encryption

Russian company Red Soft and Chinese partner Passion Tech have released the Molniya messenger on the RuStore platform. The Android application requires a one-time payment of 750 rubles with no additional in-app purchases. Key features include personal and group chats, audio and video calls, channels, a social feed, and short videos, all protected by default end-to-end encryption. Users can send files up to 4 GB, organize up to 30 chat folders, pin 15 conversations or channels, and subscribe to as many as 1,000 channels. The developers aim to reach 15 million users within 18 months after launch. The project was originally scheduled for early 2026 but became available earlier than planned.

VK Files Lawsuit in EU Court Seeking to Overturn Sanctions Imposed in July

Russian internet company VK has submitted a formal challenge to the European Union's sanctions regime by filing a case with the Court of Justice of the European Union. The company argues that the restrictions placed on VK and its subsidiary Communication Platform LLC are both unjustified and unlawful. The lawsuit, registered under case number T-664/26 on 7 October, directly contests the July sanctions that targeted the developer of the MAX messenger. Earlier restrictions had already led to the removal of multiple VK ecosystem applications from Apple App Store and Google Play, forcing users toward alternative distribution channels such as RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store and Xiaomi GetApps. While installed Android applications continue to function and receive updates, iOS users face disrupted push notifications after the apps were delisted. The legal action itself does not automatically restore app availability in the affected stores.

Multiple Ozon Apps Removed from Google Play Following Sanctions on Ozon Bank

Several Ozon applications have been removed from the Google Play store, affecting Android users who can no longer download the main Ozon client along with Ozon Fresh, Ozon Seller, Ozon Job and Ozon Travel. Ozon stated that the company did not violate Google Play rules, yet the exact reasons for the removals remain undisclosed. The action follows the earlier disappearance of the Ozon Bank app after the bank was placed under European Union sanctions, although no official connection has been confirmed. Apple users continue to access Ozon services through the App Store, while Android users are directed to alternative stores including RuStore, AppGallery and Galaxy Store. The company also warned against downloading APK files from unverified sources due to security risks. The removals come amid a broader wave of app store purges that also affected Yandex Pay on the App Store. Already installed applications generally continue to function, but users may face difficulties with future updates and reinstalls.

Russia's FAS Opens Antitrust Case Against Apple for Failing to Pre-Install Domestic Software on iOS Devices

Russia's Federal Antimonopoly Service has initiated proceedings against Apple after the company failed to comply with a prior warning to pre-install Russian software on iPhones and iPads. The case stems from requirements under Russian law to offer domestic alternatives for search engines, messengers, and app stores. Apple had added support for a Russian search engine in a software update, but this did not satisfy regulators who also demanded the national messenger and domestic app store. Non-compliance could result in a fine reaching up to 4 billion rubles under the Code of Administrative Offenses. The government has already approved a mandatory list of Russian applications that must be pre-installed on smartphones and tablets starting January 1, 2027. The list includes RuStore, Max, Yandex Browser, Alice AI, VKontakte, Gosuslugi, Mir Pay, Mail.ru, and 2GIS among others.

Google's Android Developer Verification Rollout: Implications for Russian Devices and MDM-Managed Phones

Google is introducing mandatory Android Developer Verification on certified devices starting in select countries in September 2026, requiring developers to register and sign apps with verified identities. The policy aims to curb fraudulent and malicious applications by linking package names to registered developer signatures checked via the new Android Developer Verifier system component. Devices without Google services, including many Russian and Chinese firmware builds as well as AOSP variants, remain completely unaffected since the verification mechanism relies on Google Play services. Russia is explicitly excluded from the initial rollout and subsequent waves due to sanctions, allowing continued distribution of in-house and third-party applications. Corporate MDM deployments are also exempt because administrators are considered to have already vetted the apps for safety. Google plans to offer both full registration requiring D-U-N-S numbers for organizations and a limited option for hobbyists capped at 20 devices. The company has already registered SafeMobile as a verified developer, ensuring seamless installation of its client on supported devices.

VK Apps Remain Downloadable in US Google Play Despite Removal in Russia and Turkey Amid Sanctions

The removal of VK services from Google Play has proven to be less global than initially reported, with applications still accessible to users whose Google accounts are registered in the United States region. Testing revealed a clear geographic pattern: the apps are unavailable in Russian and Turkish storefronts but remain fully visible and installable under the American region. The services disappeared from the store on July 16, prompting VK to confirm that already installed applications will continue functioning without restrictions and directing users to alternative stores such as RuStore. The exact cause of the regional discrepancy remains unclear and may relate to Google Play configuration settings, ongoing sanctions against Russia, distribution policies, or simple catalog synchronization delays. In a related development, VK users have begun receiving notifications urging them to switch to the vk.ru domain, which the company states offers superior speed and reliability and will now serve as the primary address.

VK Sells 100% of RuStore to CEO Dmitry Pankrushev, Transferring Full Control to Management Team

VK has reached an agreement to sell its entire stake in the Russian Android app store RuStore to the company's own general director, Dmitry Pankrushev. The transaction moves RuStore out of direct corporate control by VK and places it under the leadership of the team that has been managing its day-to-day operations. No financial details, including the purchase price or payment structure, have been disclosed. VK described RuStore as Russia's single point of access to essential Android services and as a key platform supporting local application developers. After the deal closes, the existing team has committed to continuing regular updates, expanding features, and maintaining stable service for users. On the surface, end-users should notice no immediate changes in availability or functionality, yet the shift represents a significant structural change for one of Russia's most important alternative app marketplaces.

VK and MAX Apps Removed from Google Play Store Amid EU Sanctions on Russian Company

VK and its national messenger MAX have been removed from the Google Play Store following the European Union's decision to add the parent company to its sanctions list. The company confirmed that the apps are no longer available for new downloads or updates through Google, but existing installations continue to function normally with full access to messaging, calls, events, and push notifications. Users can obtain updates and new installations through alternative Android stores including RuStore, Huawei AppGallery, Samsung Galaxy Store, and Xiaomi GetApps, or receive in-app update prompts when new versions become available. The removal comes shortly after similar apps such as Dzen and VK Video disappeared from the Apple App Store last month. Although the exact reasons were not disclosed in VK's statement, the sanctions were triggered specifically by the development of the MAX messenger as a national platform. This development highlights how regulatory actions are reshaping app distribution channels for Russian digital services, positioning RuStore as a primary rather than backup marketplace.