Russia has reportedly launched an investigation into Pavel Durov, the founder of the messaging app Telegram, on suspicion of supporting terrorism. Observers say the Kremlin appears to be laying the groundwork to justify blocking Telegram.
According to the state-run daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Federal Security Service (FSB) recently began investigating Durov on suspicion of supporting terrorism. The private daily Komsomolskaya Pravda reported the same, saying Telegram was used in activities by Ukrainian and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) intelligence agencies targeting Russia, and was also linked to operations to assassinate Russian generals and to armed groups' activities.
In response, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Spokesperson, said that "FSB investigative materials were used in the article," effectively acknowledging the report. The FSB and investigative authorities have not yet announced formal charges, but the reporting of materials from a state agency can be read as a preliminary step toward shaping public opinion and taking legal action. In fact, while avoiding a direct answer on whether Telegram would be blocked, Peskov signaled possible additional steps, saying, "Security authorities will take whatever measures they deem necessary."
Telegram is a communications app that combines end-to-end encrypted messaging between individuals with large public channels, and over the past decade it has effectively been the only non-controlled platform to survive in Russia. Its monthly active users (MAU) in the country are estimated at more than 100 million, and even governors, mayors, and government ministries use the app for policy announcements, handling civil complaints, and live broadcasts. Soldiers deployed to the war in Ukraine have also been known to use the encrypted chat function.
The investigation began as tensions between Russian authorities and Durov escalated. Since the 10th, the Russian government has gradually tightened pressure, citing Telegram's failure to sufficiently block use by terrorists and criminals, by partially restricting service functions and slowing connection speeds—an extension of efforts to expand control over the online space since the war broke out in 2022. Right after the war, Russia blocked Facebook and Instagram, and last year it stepped up enforcement related to YouTube, continuing efforts to move users to the government-approved app Max (MAX).
In particular, after Durov expressed support for the antiwar cause, the Russian government appears to be focusing heavy blows on Durov and Telegram. Durov, who was born in Russia and now lives in the United Arab Emirates, had in the past operated Telegram with a degree of cooperation with Russian authorities. But since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, Durov has refused demands from Russian security agencies to provide encryption keys and voiced opposition to the war, rapidly souring relations with the Russian government.
The Russian government already appears to have embarked on a "kill Telegram" campaign. Over the weekend, Kremlin figures appeared on state television and spoke about experiences of Telegram chat leaks, signaling a push to shape public opinion. The Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, Roskomnadzor, said Telegram was not complying with rules for foreign platforms, and the state news agency RIA Novosti reported that Telegram could face fines of up to 64 million rubles (about 1.2 billion won) for eight administrative violations, including failure to fulfill obligations to delete information.
This is not the first attempt by the government to expel Telegram. The Russian government tried to block Telegram from 2018 to 2020 over extremist content, but ultimately failed due to technical limitations and user backlash. Since last year it has imposed partial restrictions, including blocking voice calls, and with the latest escalation to a criminal investigation, analysts say the likelihood of a full ban on the app has grown.
However, it remains unclear whether users will move to the state-run app Max as the government intends. Skepticism is widespread that Max could be vulnerable to surveillance because it does not offer strong encryption, and Telegram users are voicing strong opposition.
Sergey Mironov, a longtime confidant of President Vladimir Putin and considered a hard-liner who leads A Just Russia, said in a statement this month that "agencies are cutting off the only communication channel between war veterans and their families," adding, "They are idiots." Platon Mamatov, commander of a Russian drone unit, said, "It is true that the Telegram restrictions have made it harder to share information, including videos," expressing discomfort.