> Yandex News service is how a lot of Russians consume news media. It has a systemic history of censorship and propaganda. Also, Yandex search has been known to censor the results as well — always in interests of Russian state.

I upvoted you, and though I can't speak or read Russian, I would be surprised if what you were saying wasn't true. However, Google extensively censors and distorts its search results too, while at the same time allowing SEO spam to abound, even when it comes to important areas like health information. If it were one or the other (i.e., great, relevant results with censorship, or mediocre results free from censorship), it wouldn't be so annoying. But the fact that Google actively goes out of its way to censor and manipulate its results, while at the same time allowing the overall quality to deteriorate, is extremely annoying.

Is this just whataboutism? The GP didn’t anything about Google.

No, it's pointing out that Google has shortcomings many are not (but should be) aware of, and that you should use the right tool for the right job.

Sure, so if you're in a country that would be hurt by America more than Russia Yandex makes sense. If you're in many western countries then Russia is currently threatening every other weak to nuke you so...

Propaganda is almost unavoidable in modern times but if possible it's better to avoid one that pretty directly goes against your own best interests.