Best VPNs for Ukraine (2017)

Ukraine is known to have a high rate of online censorship and restrictions. Especially after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, and Ukraine has been continuously blocking websites most used by its internet users (click here for more details). These sites include the Russian version of Facebook called VK and the Russian version of Google, called Yandex. In addition to that over 400 websites have been blocked since 2014 alone, not to mention the large number of websites that were banned before 2014 in Ukraine. This is why internet users in Ukraine started seeking alternative methods to bypass all these illogical restrictions, especially those done on Russian websites which have about 25 million users from Ukraine alone.

Since the best solution was acquiring a reliable VPN with certain features, we started researching right away. We focused on the main features that would benefit users in Ukraine most. These features include the network of servers operated by the VPN provider, whether or not this network includes servers in Russia to unblock the Russian websites, and the level of security provided by the VPN provider.

Now, we all know that having a server in Russia is not an easy thing, since Russia also has its strict rules regarding the internet. Luckily a few good names in the VPN industry were able to overcome this challenge and place servers in Russia. According to this, we have done our extensive research and selected the 3 VPNs most suitable and reliable for Ukraine.

Best VPNs for Ukraine

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a British Virgin Islands based VPN provider that has been operating since 2009. Over the years it grew to be the biggest name among VPN providers. It has extremely competitive features and security measures and definitely has what it takes to be used in Ukraine.

Level of Security

• SSL secured network with a 256-bit encryption.
• Multiple security protocols supported (OpenVPN with UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and SSTP).

Network of Servers

• More than 1000 Servers in 145 cities, spread across more than 94 countries around the world.
• This network includes servers in Russia, Ukraine, and practically all the necessary locations around the world.

Additional Features

• Network Lock kill switch
• Unlimited bandwidth
• Unlimited server switching
• Zero-logging of network traffic.
• Connection of up to 3 devices simultaneously.
• 30-day money back guarantee

VyprVPN

VyprVPN is a popular VPN provider owned by a large internet company called Golden Frog. Golden Frog is located in Switzerland which is known for its advocacy for internet privacy. This gave VyprVPN the edge needed to implement high security and privacy measures. This is why it is highly recommended for Ukraine.

Level of Security

• VyprVPN uses a 256-bit encryption to secure its network.
• Advanced and unique security protocols are supported (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and its very own Chameleon).

Network of Servers

• More than 700 servers in over 70 locations, spread across 6 continents.
• There are servers in Moscow, Russia and Kiev, Ukraine. In addition to hundreds of servers strategically placed all over the globe.
• This network provides users with over 200,000 shared IP’s

Additional Features

• Zero-Knowledge VyprDNS service (zero traffic logs)
• NAT Firewall
• 3-day free trial

NordVPN

NordVPN was launched in Panama in 2012 and in a matter of five years grew to be one of the most respected names in the market is over 200,000 users worldwide. This growth reflected on its security features and impressive network.

Level of Security

• AES 256-bit SHA encryption used to secure network.
• Application supports multiple advanced protocols (OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, SSTP, and IKEv2).

Network of Servers

• The NordVPN network consists of 951 servers spread across 57 worldwide countries.
• This includes 15 servers in Russia, 2 servers in Ukraine and hundreds of other servers in strategic locations around the world.

Additional Features

• Double Data Encryption
• No logs policy
• Automatic Kill Switch
• DNS Leak Resolver
• Bitcoin payments accepted
• Dedicated IP
• Onion over VPN
• Unlimited bandwidth
• 3-day free trial
• 30-day money back guarantee

Conclusion

It seems that Ukraine is moving in the same direction as other countries around the world which have high internet restrictions like China and Iran. This clearly violates the human rights of internet access stated by the UN. Thankfully, internet users in the Ukraine can now acquire a suitable VPN and bypass all these restrictions and at the same time stay completely anonymous online. Especially being able to access all those Russian websites that are popular in Ukraine yet have recently been banned.