On Thursday, **Apple** removed several prominent Russian applications from its **App Store**, including the flagship social network **VKontakte** (often likened to **Facebook**), **VK Music**, **VK Messenger**, **VK Video**, **Odnoklassniki**, and **Mail.ru** services. **VK**, one of Russia's largest technology companies, confirmed the removals in a statement, noting that the apps are no longer available for download or updates on **Apple** devices. Existing installations will continue to function, and **Android** users remain unaffected. ### Apple Cites Sanctions, VK Denies Violations While **Apple** has not publicly commented on the decision, it reportedly informed **BBC News Russia** that the removals were made to comply with sanctions regulations and that it adheres to the laws of its operating jurisdictions. However, **Apple** did not specify which sanctions applied. **VK** stated that the apps were removed without prior notice or explanation, calling the decision "unmotivated and unacceptable." The company maintains that it has never been placed under sanctions and has provided **Apple** with legal opinions supporting this position. ### Russian Officials Condemn Move The decision triggered an immediate and strong backlash from Russian officials. **Kremlin** spokesman **Dmitry Peskov** questioned **Apple**'s reliability, suggesting the move casts doubt on the trustworthiness of the company's services. He indicated that Russian authorities would contact **Apple** before deciding on a response. **Foreign Ministry** spokeswoman **Maria Zakharova** described the removal as "an act of political censorship." Similarly, Russia's **Ministry of Digital Development** labeled it politically motivated, accusing **Apple** of disregarding the socially important functions of **VK**'s services, including emergency alerts. **Andrei Svintsov**, deputy chairman of the **State Duma**'s information policy committee, went further, claiming **Apple** was attempting to impede the expansion of Russian technology companies into markets across the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, and Africa. ### Previous Removals and Sanctions Context **VK**'s chief executive, **Vladimir Kiriyenko**, is the son of **Sergei Kiriyenko**, a senior **Kremlin** official. **Vladimir Kiriyenko** was sanctioned by the **United States**, the **European Union**, and **Britain** following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This is not the first time **Apple** has removed **VK** apps. In September 2022, **Apple** removed **VK**'s apps from the **App Store** after **Britain** imposed sanctions on senior **VK** executives, only to restore them less than a month later. Earlier this month, **Apple** also removed **Max**, a state-backed messaging application developed by **VK**, citing sanctions compliance without further specifics. Russian authorities have been actively pushing **Apple** to permit third-party app stores, particularly **VK**-developed **RuStore**, on devices sold in Russia to ensure access to applications removed from the **App Store**. **Apple** has also previously removed **VPN** applications from its Russian **App Store** at the request of Russia's internet regulator, **Roskomnadzor**.