February 10, 2026
Telegram is one of the last messaging apps in Russia that the state doesn’t control. Did the Kremlin just block it for good?
Telegram, one of Russia’s most widely used messaging apps, has been malfunctioning for the past two days. On Tuesday, Russia’s federal censorship agency confirmed it was behind the disruptions, saying the measures were meant to “protect” citizens. For many Russians, Telegram is one of the few major platforms they have access to that still operates outside state control. Along with the American messenger WhatsApp, Telegram has faced escalating “restrictions” over the past six months. Now, it appears the Kremlin may be moving toward blocking the app completely. There’s just one problem: Russian officials rely on it.
TL;DR
- Telegram has been malfunctioning in Russia for two consecutive days, with the federal censorship agency Roskomnadzor confirming its involvement.
- Roskomnadzor claims the disruptions are meant to "protect" citizens and combat fraud, citing Telegram's failure to comply with Russian legislation.
- These measures are part of escalating restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp over the past six months, leading to speculation of a complete ban.
- Despite potential government intentions to block the app, Telegram remains a crucial platform for Russian officials and political strategists to disseminate information and shape public opinion.
- The Russian government is also promoting its own state-controlled messaging app, Max, as an alternative to independent platforms like Telegram.
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