MOSCOW, Russia – Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Wednesday it has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism and placed him on an international wanted list, marking a significant escalation in Moscow’s efforts to tighten control over one of the country’s most widely used messaging platforms.
The case comes as Russian authorities continue expanding restrictions on Telegram as part of a broader campaign to strengthen state oversight of the internet, a policy that has accelerated since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
FSB Accuses Telegram of Facilitating Terrorist Activity
In a statement, the FSB alleged that Telegram failed to remove numerous channels, group chats and automated bots that authorities said were being used by Ukrainian intelligence services, as well as organizations Russia designates as terrorist or extremist groups.
According to the agency, those online resources were used to organize acts of sabotage, terrorism, cyberfraud and other attacks inside Russia. The FSB said the alleged activities resulted in numerous casualties. The claims were made by Russian authorities and could not be independently verified.
The FSB also alleged that Ukrainian security services used a dating chatbot on Telegram to recruit Russian citizens for sabotage and terrorist activities. The agency said 46 users of the chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, had been detained across Russia since July 2025.
Durov Rejects the Allegations
Durov, who was born in Russia and later relocated abroad, said earlier this year that Russian authorities had opened a criminal investigation against him.
He accused the Russian government of creating legal pretexts to restrict Telegram, arguing that the measures were intended to undermine online privacy and freedom of expression.
If convicted under Russian law, Durov could face a sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Russia Expands Internet Restrictions
Under President Vladimir Putin, Russia has steadily expanded legal and technical measures to regulate online activity, adopting laws that impose stricter requirements on digital platforms and restricting services that fail to comply.
Several major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and X, have been banned or restricted in Russia. Authorities have also slowed access to YouTube, blocked messaging services including Signal and Viber, and imposed additional restrictions on WhatsApp and Telegram.
Although many users continue accessing restricted services through virtual private networks (VPNs), Russian authorities have also intensified efforts to limit VPN availability.
At the same time, officials have promoted a domestically developed messaging platform known as MAX, which is marketed as an all-in-one application for messaging, government services and digital payments.
Critics argue that MAX could expand government surveillance because the platform states it will provide user information to authorities upon request. Security researchers have also noted that the service does not use end-to-end encryption.
Telegram Founder Faces Legal Challenges in Multiple Countries
The Russian case adds to legal scrutiny already facing Durov abroad.
In 2024, French authorities arrested him in Paris over allegations that Telegram had been used to facilitate criminal activity, including drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
The latest charges in Russia open another legal front for the Telegram founder as governments continue debating the responsibilities of digital platforms in addressing illegal content, public safety and national security.
This report is based on reporting by The Associated Press.
