Access Challenges for Russian Banks in International Browsers
Users attempting to access online services of Russian banks through foreign web browsers, including Google Chrome and others, are reportedly encountering significant difficulties. Specifically, the website and web application for VTB have ceased to function correctly when accessed from outside Russia.
Root Cause: SSL Certificate Revocation
The primary reason for these emerging issues is the revocation of foreign SSL certificates. Previously, certain Russian financial institutions, such as VTB, transitioned to certificates issued by the National Certification Authority of the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications, and Mass Media of the Russian Federation. These domestically issued certificates are not universally supported by most international internet browsers, leading to blocked access or improper functioning of affected websites.
Impact Not Universal Across All Resources
It is important to note that, according to available information, not all web resources belonging to Russian banks have been affected by this issue. Some platforms continue to operate without disruption, suggesting a selective impact likely dependent on the specific infrastructure and certification protocols employed by individual institutions.
I’ve been dealing with this VTB issue for weeks now trying to access my old account from abroad. It’s incredibly frustrating how these certificate revocations just lock you out. I found that using a VPN set to a Russian server sometimes bypasses the initial block, but then other functionalities within the banking portal still fail. My workaround has been to keep an older browser like a specific Firefox ESR version handy, as it seems to be less strict with some of these certificates, but even that’s not 100% reliable. It’s a real pain for anyone needing to manage finances internationally.