Apple pulled a batch of applications built by state‑controlled VK from the App Store, prompting the Kremlin to demand a justification. The removals followed earlier takedowns of two Russian banking apps that had briefly topped U.S. charts. Apple says the action aligns with international sanctions, even though VK itself is not listed on U.S. sanction rolls.

VK protested that its services vanished “without warning or explanation,” cutting off social networking, messaging, video, email and education tools used by tens of millions of Russian users. A Kremlin spokesperson warned that without a satisfactory answer, Moscow will reassess any ongoing cooperation with the Cupertino giant.

The dispute arrives as Russia tightens digital oversight, mandating VK‑developed MAX on new devices and restricting WhatsApp and Telegram calls. Apple halted official sales in the country in March 2022, so the removals affect only existing accounts. With VK’s chief executive sanctioned by the EU, Britain and the U.S., the row underscores how geopolitical pressure is reshaping access to everyday apps.

Both sides stand to lose: Russian users lose convenient services, while Apple faces possible restrictions on its App Store presence in a market it no longer sells hardware. The standoff illustrates the growing friction between Western tech platforms and Russia’s state‑backed digital ecosystem, a global political clash.