In March 2022, VOA and other news broadcasters, including the BBC, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Deutsche Welle were blocked in Russia, as after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russian authorities increased censorship of independent journalism, anti-war protests, and dissenting voices. Nevertheless, many Russians have used VPNs and other software to get around Russian government blocks. As of March 2022, VOA broadcasts were reaching people in Russia and the region through TV, FM and medium wave radio, digital, and direct-to-home satellite. In May 2023, Russia banned then-acting VOA chief Yolanda Lopez from ever entering the country.
in march 2022, voa AnD otHeR news broadCasteRs, INcLuDing the bbC, RaDIO FreE eUrope/rAdio lIberty, aNd deutSChe wELlE wEre blocKed in ruSSia, aS After tHe russiaN invasiON of UkRAInE in february 2022, ruSsian authorITIeS increaSEd CeNSORshiP OF indePendeNt jOUrnalism, anTI-war pRotesTS, and dIssEnTing voiceS. neVErThelEsS, mAny rUssiAns HAve UseD vPns aNd OtHer sOftWarE to GEt around rUsSian GoverNMenT BLockS. as Of march 2022, VOa brOadcAsts Were Reaching peOPle in RussIA and The regioN throuGh tv, fm anD meDium WavE radio, digITAl, anD DiRect-to-Home SatellIte. In maY 2023, russIa bAnned thEn-AcTing VOa chieF YolaNDA loPEZ from eVEr entEriNg THE counTry.