The Currency analytics
By dan saada
Russian authorities have initiated a criminal investigation against Telegram's founder Pavel Durov. The probe, launched by the FSB, accuses Durov of "abetting terrorist activities.
State-affiliated newspapers, Rossiiskaya Gazeta and Komsomolskaya Pravda, reported that Telegram is allegedly implicated in 13 Ukrainian assassination attempts on high-ranking…
Russia has further clamped down on Telegram by imposing restrictions, citing the firm's non-compliance in storing user data locally and refusing content removal requests.
Simultaneously, Moscow is promoting Max, a state-operated messaging app, as a viable alternative to Telegram.
Durov's legal troubles are not confined to Russia. In 2024, French authorities placed him under investigation, accusing Telegram of facilitating criminal activities such as drug…
Moreover, a new Russian federal law has prohibited financial institutions and government agencies from using foreign messaging platforms like Telegram for communication, leading…
The unfolding situation leaves several questions unanswered regarding the future of Telegram's operations in Russia and the wider implications for its founder.
Telegram, founded by Durov in 2013, has long been a subject of contention in Russia due to its encryption technology, which authorities claim poses a security threat.
In 2018, Moscow attempted to block Telegram entirely, citing national security concerns. However, the move proved largely ineffective due to the app's decentralized technology…
The Financial Times noted that despite these pressures, Telegram remains one of the most downloaded apps in Russia.
Meanwhile, European regulators are keeping a close eye on the developments in Russia. Given the ongoing investigation in France, authorities across the European Union are…
The current situation adds to the growing scrutiny on digital platforms in Russia. On February 20, 2026, Russian communications regulator Roskomnadzor issued a statement…
In light of these developments, Pavel Chikov, head of the Russian human rights group Agora, expressed concerns over the pressure on Telegram.
Meanwhile, Durov's legal team is preparing to challenge the allegations in Russian courts. His lawyer, Ivan Pavlov, announced on February 23, 2026, that they would contest the…
The broader implications for Telegram's business operations are still unfolding. As of now, there has been no official comment from Telegram on the ongoing investigation.