Steam has started granting refunds to some Destiny 2 players who can no longer access the game after a region block affecting Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. The block has left affected users seeing the TAPIR error and unable to play for over a week, and some have managed to reclaim purchases through Steam support.
Players first noticed the TAPIR error, which normally indicates maintenance, while the game remained online elsewhere. On the Bungie forums, staff replied with a short explanation, saying, “Destiny services are not available where access is restricted by law.” The response did not identify the specific law or give further details, and some players asked the developer for a fuller explanation on the Bungie blog.
Reports show Valve is approving refunds for DLC and full editions in some cases, despite its standard two-hour playtime rule. One user provided evidence to The Game Post that Steam refunded an Ultimate Edition purchase and multiple DLC items, despite the account having more than 2,000 hours of playtime before the block. Steam support responses appear inconsistent, with other players denied refunds, suggesting outcomes may depend on the individual reviewer.
Some affected players have tried workarounds. A VPN helped some users log in on PC for a time, and others report changing DNS settings on Xbox to regain access. Those with PlayStation accounts registered in Russia report that no workaround is available. The uncertainty is driving players to ask Bungie for clearer communication about what is being restricted and why.
The situation also hit Destiny 2’s Steam score. The game’s overall rating fell from around 78% positive to just 32% positive in the last 30 days, with Russian-language reviews this month showing only 9% positive. That surge of negative reviews reflects frustration from accounts that suddenly lost access.
This change affects players who can no longer log in from those countries, and it could matter to anyone who has spent on DLC or editions for Destiny 2 there. If Steam refunds are an option, they may help some recover costs, but the outcome is inconsistent and depends on support review. Share experiences and solutions in the comments, and follow us on X and Bluesky.
