Russian tech entrepreneurs are set to launch a picture-sharing application on the domestic market this month, known as Rossgram, a replacement of Instagram which was blocked by the authorities this week.
The website of Rossgram claims that the app will have additional features such as crowdfunding and paid access for some content. Rossgram's colour scheme and layout is said to bear a strong resemblance to Instagram.
Alexander Zobov, Rossgram’s Public Relations Director, wrote on the VKontakte social network: “My partner Kirill Filimonov and our group of developers were already ready for this turn of events and decided not to miss the opportunity to create a Russian analogue of a popular social network beloved by our compatriots.”
Russian state communications regulator Roskomnadzor blocked access to Instagram this week after its US owner Meta (Facebook) said it would allow social media users in Ukraine to post messages such as “Death to the Russian invaders”.
Russia has already banned Facebook and opened a criminal investigation against Meta and prosecutors asked a court to designate the U.S. tech giant an "extremist organisation". Russia has in recent months been developing its domestic technology, including AYYA T1 smartphones produced by state conglomerate Rostec.
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