Mishustin: with the advent of RuStore, sanctions will not be able to harm Russian applications

The RuStore app store helped to replace imports of foreign sites, now the sanctions will not be able to harm Russian applications. This statement was made by the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin during a conversation with the finalists of the all-Russian program of youth entrepreneurship “I’m in business” at the site of the Kalibr technopark in Moscow.

“RuStore is an online store that allows all applications to buy, and, of course, it is very important that now it is ours, import-substituting, and sanctions will not cause damage, including applications,” he said (quote according to TASS).

The RuStore app store was launched in May 2022 amid sanctions due to the start of a special operation in Ukraine and the removal of a number of Russian apps from the App Store and Google Play. VK is developing it together with other IT companies with the support of the Ministry of Digital Development. RuStore is an analogue of Google Play, it is available only for Android devices.

Now, in total, the platform has more than 6,000 applications from Russian and foreign publishers, including TikTok, Opera Mini and Skype Lite. According to April data, since May 2022, the monthly audience of the store has grown to 10 million people. At the end of May in VK reportedthat adapt RuStore to work on TVs, set-top boxes and tablets. In addition, monetization tools will become available for individuals.