What is Vkontakte (VK): the Russian version of Facebook

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In a previous article we told you about the three Chinese social networks (QZone, Baidu Tieba and Sina Weibo) that you should know. Now, we want to focus on detailing the history and use of the Russian social network par excellence: VK. Formerly known as VKontakte, or, written in Russian: ВКонтакте, VK has more than ten years of history, and is within the top 20 of the most visited websites in the world, occupying position number 16, making it the most popular social network in Russia.


Currently, this social network has more than 650 million Email Data registered users , and an estimated 97 million active users per month . This wide reach, together with its wide compatibility thanks to its adequate interface in 85 different languages , has made it one of the most important websites in Russia.

Precisely this importance has for years raised particular interest on the part of the Russian government in this growing social network. An interest that has been consummated during this last month of 2021, with the nationalization of VK by the Kremlin.

The Russian government takes over VK
Since VK's inception around 2006, the platform has been a point of focus for the Russian government, primarily because of its broad impact. Furthermore, the constant criticism of its founder, Pavel Durov, also the founder of Telegram, made him a more pressing target for this government recognized for its control over its media. This, to the point that in 2014 Durov ended up selling his stake in the company to Alisher Usmanov, an ally of Putin and also owner of the Russian technology company mail.ru.



After this and after different buying and selling operations through subsidiaries and associated companies, the Russian government managed to take over the company by getting its main economic front, the gas company Gazprom, controlled by the Kremlin government, to obtain 50 % of votes in the VK council . That is, an absolute majority to make decisions within the management of the social network.

Of course, this poses a great benefit to Vladimir Putin's government, giving it a new means of controlling the main social network within the country, and allowing it to strengthen the fight against other social networks such as Facebook, where they have openly presented themselves. debates and complaints from the opposition. Due to the characteristics of VK, it is also proposed as an alternative to YouTube, which has been another point of focus for the government.