Moscow Court Bars Apple From Pursuing Its US Lawsuit Against VK

A Moscow arbitration court has barred Apple, Apple Distribution International, Apple Rus and their representatives from continuing legal proceedings against VK in the United States. The ruling came in late October 2026.

Under the order, the companies must take all steps within their power, including withdrawing the claim or abandoning their demands, to end the case against VK in the US District Court for the Northern District of California within seven calendar days. The ban stays in force until a decision on the main dispute takes effect.

The US case and the Russian claim

On 21 October 2026, the California court, sitting in San Jose, granted an ex parte motion by Apple Inc. for a temporary restraining order and an order to show cause on a preliminary injunction.

VK's own suit was filed on 19 August with the Moscow court against Apple Inc., Apple Distribution International Ltd and the Russian entity Apple Rus (case A40-250513/2026) and accepted on 3 September. VK wants its apps restored to the App Store and push notifications for users reinstated. It also seeks daily penalties if Apple ignores a future ruling: 50 million rubles for VKontakte, 5 million for VK Music and 3 million for Odnoklassniki, 58 million in total.

At the first hearing on 27 October, Apple's representatives argued that a Russian court has no right to hear the dispute and asked it to settle the question of jurisdiction first. The court granted a request by Apple Rus to postpone the session. Apple's developer agreement says disputes are heard in Northern California courts under California law, with Irish courts for European matters.

Background and outlook

VK apps began disappearing from the Russian App Store on 25 June 2026, including Music, Messenger, Video, Skillbox, Dzen, Odnoklassniki and Mail.ru, with VKontakte following later. Apple said it removed them to comply with sanctions rules. VK says it received no warning; installed apps still work but cannot be updated, and iPhone users get no push notifications.

Lawyers cited in the case doubt that Apple would restore the apps even after a Russian ruling. Konstantin Suvorov of Kosenkov & Suvorov noted that Apple Rus held about 190 million rubles in cash at the end of 2025, so the penalties could quickly threaten its solvency, and that Russian judgments against foreign firms can be enforced in friendly jurisdictions.