February 24, 2026
Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism as the Kremlin escalates its crackdown on the app
Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov on charges of facilitating terrorist activity, according to articles published February 24 in the nation’s newspaper of record, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, and the tabloid Komsomolskaya Pravda.
TL;DR
- Russia has opened a criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov for facilitating terrorist activity.
- The Federal Security Service (FSB) alleges Telegram is used for crimes and poses a threat to Russian society.
- The FSB accuses Telegram of being a tool for NATO intelligence services and the 'Kyiv regime'.
- Durov denies the charges, stating the case is politically motivated and aims to suppress privacy and free speech.
- Russia has intensified efforts to throttle Telegram's traffic, with degradation reaching 55 percent.
- Durov previously faced charges in France related to organized crime and refusal to cooperate with investigators.
- Russia began restricting Telegram access in the summer of 2025, intensifying efforts in early February 2026.
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