Russian officials announced on Wednesday that Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the messaging platform Telegram, has been charged with aiding terrorism. This development represents the Kremlin’s ongoing effort to exert control over the internet and digital communications within Russia.
Durov, who was born in Russia but currently lives abroad, faces these charges as the government intensifies restrictions on Telegram, a move linked to the broader crackdown on online freedoms that emerged after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that Telegram has been accused of not removing certain channels, chats, and bots that supposedly helped “Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist and extremist organizations” in committing acts of violence and cyber fraud within Russia, resulting in multiple casualties.
Among the allegations, the FSB claimed that a popular dating chatbot on Telegram was used by Ukrainian security services to recruit Russians for sabotage and terrorist activities. Over the past year, 46 users ranging from 12 to 22 years old have been detained for attacking law enforcement and arson, among other offenses.
Additionally, the authorities stated they would add Durov’s name to international wanted lists.
This year, Durov indicated that he was under investigation by Russian authorities, asserting that the Kremlin was concocting justifications to limit access to Telegram as part of an effort to undermine privacy and free speech.
If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment in Russia.
Telegram, which claims over a billion users globally, did not provide a response to inquiries for comment. Its official site linked to a post on X that featured an image of Durov making an unflattering gesture toward the camera.
According to Telegram’s website, the company operates from Dubai, where Durov also resides, holding dual citizenship in France and the UAE.
Efforts to Censor the Internet
Under President Putin, Russian authorities have launched various initiatives to regulate the internet, implementing strict laws and banning platforms that do not comply. There’s been an ongoing effort to enhance technology for monitoring and manipulating online activity.
Major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, are banned in Russia. YouTube has experienced throttling, while messaging apps like Signal and Viber are blocked, and even popular services—WhatsApp and Telegram—have faced restrictions.
Durov’s earlier platform, Vkontakte, which is akin to Facebook, has fallen under the control of companies aligned with the Kremlin. While Russia attempted to block Telegram from 2018 to 2020, those efforts were largely unsuccessful.
Though virtual private networks (VPNs) can sometimes bypass restrictions, many of these services are routinely blocked as well.
At the same time, Russia is promoting a “national” messaging app named MAX, which critics warn might serve as a surveillance tool. This app is marketed as an all-in-one solution for messaging, government services, and payments, openly stating it will share user data with authorities when required. Experts note that it lacks end-to-end encryption.
The restrictions on Telegram have prompted considerable dissent within Russia. This year, activists attempted to organize protests against the measures, though authorities largely suppressed these efforts.
Members of the military blogging community have criticized the crackdown, emphasizing that Telegram is crucial for communication among Russian troops in Ukraine and for activists supporting Moscow’s forces.
Initially, officials indicated that Telegram would remain unrestricted in military operations; however, a subsequent statement from the Kremlin suggested otherwise. During a discussion with Putin on International Women’s Day, a servicewoman labeled Telegram a “hostile communications tool,” agreeing with his assertion that external communication systems pose a risk to personnel.
Despite the restrictions, numerous Russian officials continue to use Telegram, frequently updating their channels—essentially blogs—on the platform. The Kremlin’s own Telegram page boasted over 284,000 followers as of Wednesday.
Durov’s Arrest in France
In 2024, Durov was detained in Paris amid claims that Telegram was being used for illegal activities, including drug trafficking and sharing child sexual abuse materials. He faced preliminary charges in France for allegedly allowing criminal actions on the platform. In March 2025, Durov announced his return to Dubai after spending several months in France.
At that time, the Kremlin called out the French authorities for their actions against Durov as selective. Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, questioned why authorities were not targeting the CEOs of car manufacturers like Renault or Citroen, noting that “terrorists use Telegram” but they also use vehicles.
Peskov did not respond to inquiries regarding what led to the change in position from Russian authorities.
The Paris prosecutor’s office informed that Durov remains under formal investigation, facing various potential charges linked to alleged criminal activities associated with Telegram. He has undergone questioning by French investigators multiple times, with the most recent session occurring this month.
Accusations Against Russia
Russia has faced its own accusations of utilizing Telegram to coordinate and recruit individuals for acts of arson and sabotage in Ukraine and Europe. In the U.K., a British citizen was reportedly recruited by Russian military intelligence via Telegram to orchestrate a fire in a London warehouse housing satellite equipment for Ukraine. He was also allegedly tasked with kidnapping a pro-Ukrainian exiled Russian billionaire living in London.
In the Netherlands, teenagers were arrested after being approached by Russian hackers on Telegram, who wanted them to map Wi-Fi networks in The Hague, home to numerous significant organizations, including the International Criminal Court, which has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, as well as Europol, which combats international crime.
Moscow has consistently denied any involvement in sabotage efforts across Europe.
This article has been clarified to state that the potential penalty for Durov is life in prison, as opposed to 15 years.
