Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) on Wednesday charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorist activities and placed him on an international wanted list, accusing the messaging platform of failing to remove content allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and terrorist and extremist organisations.The charges come as Russian authorities continue to tighten restrictions on Telegram, one of the country’s most widely used messaging platforms. The move is part of a broader campaign by the Kremlin to increase state control over the internet, which has intensified since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.The FSB, Russia’s main domestic security agency, alleged that Telegram’s administration had failed to remove ‘numerous channels, chats and bots’ that were allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and terrorist and extremist organisations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage, terrorism, mass killings and cyber fraud inside Russia, according to news agency Associated Press. The agency said the activity had resulted in ‘numerous human casualties’ and accused Telegram of being used to facilitate operations against Russian interests.The FSB also accused Ukrainian security services of using a popular dating chatbot on Telegram to lure and recruit Russian citizens for alleged sabotage and terrorist activities.According to the agency, 46 users of the chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, have been detained across Russia since July 2025.The FSB’s allegations come amid growing pressure on Telegram in Russia, where authorities have repeatedly sought to restrict access to the platform and have promoted alternatives backed by the state.Durov has previously accused Russian authorities of attempting to restrict Telegram under what he described as fabricated pretexts. Earlier this year, he said a criminal investigation had been opened against him and alleged that the restrictions were aimed at suppressing ‘the right to privacy and free speech.’If convicted of the charges in Russia, Durov could face a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Russia tightens control over internet
The action against Durov is the latest development in Russia’s long-running effort to tighten state control over online communication.Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian authorities have introduced restrictive laws, blocked websites and platforms that do not comply with government requirements, and expanded their ability to monitor and control internet traffic.Several major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and X, have been banned in Russia, while YouTube has faced throttling. Messaging services such as Signal and Viber have also been blocked, while access to Telegram and WhatsApp has increasingly been restricted.Although users can still bypass some restrictions through virtual private networks (VPNs), Russian authorities routinely block VPN services as well.At the same time, Moscow has promoted MAX, a Russian state-backed messaging platform that officials have presented as a domestic alternative to foreign services. The platform combines messaging with online government services, payments and other functions.Critics have raised concerns about privacy and surveillance risks surrounding MAX. The platform states that it can share user data with authorities when requested, while experts have also raised concerns over the absence of end-to-end encryption.
Who is Pavel Durov?
Durov was born in Russia and began his career there before moving abroad. He founded Telegram in 2013 and the messaging platform says it now has more than 1 billion users worldwide.He previously founded VKontakte, Russia’s equivalent of Facebook. Durov sold his remaining stake in the social networking company in 2014 amid growing pressure from Russian authorities.Durov now holds Emirati and French passports and has spent much of his time outside Russia.Telegram has become an important communication platform on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war, making it particularly significant in the ongoing conflict.The Russian case is not the first major legal challenge Durov has faced over Telegram.In 2024, French authorities arrested Durov in Paris over allegations linked to criminal activity allegedly carried out through Telegram, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.French authorities have also investigated allegations that Telegram failed to adequately tackle criminal activity on the platform and did not sufficiently cooperate with law enforcement requests.
