When You Can’t Just Call to Say I Love You: Staying Close Between the U.S. and Russia

A simple guide for keeping in touch with family, friends and partners when voice and video calls suddenly stop working.

Here’s what happened to me: I tried to call my cousin in Russia on WhatsApp a few weeks back and the call never connected. We sent messages, but the voice and video part just failed. That’s when I found out it wasn’t my Wi-Fi acting up. In mid-August the Russian authorities began slowing down or blocking call features on WhatsApp and Telegram. Messages still go through, but calls barely work. Soon after, Google Meet also started glitching — people complained that audio and video wouldn’t connect or calls would drop constantly. It’s all part of a push to move users toward domestic apps.

The government is promoting its own messenger called MAX. The catch is you need a Russian or Belarusian SIM card to register, so it doesn’t really work if you live abroad. That leaves people like us, with loved ones in both places, looking for alternatives that actually connect.

It’s not just about technology. Hearing a loved one’s voice or seeing their face on video is what keeps relationships alive across distance. Losing that option makes the gap feel bigger.

So what works in practice? One surprisingly solid option is VK (VKontakte). We tried making audio and video calls through VK and the quality was good, not much lag, and it felt close to what we had before. If both sides can install VK, it’s a straightforward fix.

Some people also have success with Microsoft Teams or Yandex’s video tools. They may not feel as familiar as WhatsApp or Telegram, but if the goal is simply to talk and see each other, they do the job.

For everyday chats, you can still stick to WhatsApp or Telegram for text and voice notes. Then, when it’s time for a proper conversation, switch over to something that still works, like VK. That way, you keep the convenience of your usual messenger and the closeness of a real call when you need it.

One small tip: agree on a backup plan. For example, “If my WhatsApp call doesn’t go through, open VK in half a minute.” It sounds obvious, but it saves frustration when the call fails at the worst moment.

This whole situation is frustrating, but people adapt quickly. The key is to have two or three ways to reach each other and not rely on a single app. That way, distance stays manageable, and voices and faces don’t get lost behind the blocks.