Russian authorities have intensified their confrontation with Telegram by charging the platform’s founder, Pavel Durov, with aiding terrorism and placing him on an international wanted list.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), marking a dramatic escalation in the Kremlin’s ongoing efforts to tighten its grip over digital communication platforms.
According to the FSB, Durov could face life imprisonment if found guilty under Russian law.
FSB Claims Telegram Facilitated Criminal Activity
The security agency alleges that Telegram failed to remove numerous channels, chat groups, and automated bots that it claims were being used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist groups, and extremist organizations.
Russian officials argue these online spaces were allegedly used to organize sabotage missions, terrorist attacks, cybercrime, and other criminal activities within Russia.
The FSB further claimed that these operations resulted in multiple casualties, though it did not publicly provide detailed evidence to support those allegations.
Dating Bot Allegedly Used to Recruit Young Russians
Among the accusations, the FSB said Ukrainian security services had exploited a popular Telegram dating chatbot to recruit Russian citizens into carrying out attacks and acts of sabotage.
Authorities claimed that since July 2025, they have detained 46 individuals between the ages of 12 and 22 who allegedly became involved through the chatbot.
Investigators accused the suspects of offenses including arson, assaults on law enforcement officers, and participation in terrorist-related activities.
Durov Rejects Moscow’s Allegations
Durov, who was born in Russia but later relocated abroad, has previously dismissed the Russian government’s actions as politically motivated.
Earlier this year, he revealed that criminal proceedings had been launched against him and accused Russian authorities of manufacturing legal justifications to weaken Telegram.
According to Durov, the campaign is aimed at restricting free speech and undermining users’ right to privacy rather than addressing genuine security concerns.
Telegram has not issued an immediate public response following the latest charges.
Telegram Remains Under Growing Pressure in Russia
The legal action comes as Russia continues to impose tighter restrictions on Telegram despite its widespread popularity among Russian users.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Kremlin has significantly expanded efforts to regulate online platforms and digital communications.
Officials have introduced stricter internet laws, blocked websites, and invested heavily in technologies designed to monitor and control internet traffic across the country.
Wider Crackdown on Foreign Digital Platforms
Telegram is only one of several international platforms facing increasing restrictions in Russia.
Authorities have already banned Facebook, Instagram, and X, while YouTube has experienced bandwidth throttling.
Messaging services including Signal and Viber have been blocked, and both WhatsApp and Telegram have also been subjected to growing limitations.
Russia previously attempted to ban Telegram between 2018 and 2020 but failed to enforce the prohibition effectively.
Many users continue to bypass restrictions through virtual private networks, although VPN services themselves are increasingly being blocked.
Kremlin Promotes Domestic Alternative
As restrictions on foreign platforms expand, Russian officials have been encouraging citizens to adopt MAX, a domestically developed messaging application.
The platform is promoted as an all-in-one service combining messaging, digital payments, and government services.
However, privacy advocates have expressed concern over its data policies, noting that the platform openly states it can provide user information to authorities upon request.
Experts have also criticized the service for lacking end-to-end encryption, raising additional concerns about surveillance.
Durov’s International Legal Troubles Continue
The Russian case is not the only legal challenge facing Durov.
In 2024, French authorities arrested him in Paris as part of an investigation into allegations that Telegram had been used to facilitate criminal activities, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Durov later announced in March 2025 that he had returned to Dubai after spending several months in France.
Telegram’s official website states that the company operates from Dubai, where Durov—who holds dual citizenship in the United Arab Emirates and France—currently resides.
