Telegram, a prominent messaging app in Russia, has encountered significant disruptions over the past two days, prompting concerns among its users. The federal censorship agency, Roskomnadzor, has confirmed its involvement in these interruptions, stating that the measures are intended to “protect” citizens. For many Russians, Telegram represents one of the few major platforms operating beyond the reach of state control, alongside WhatsApp, which has also faced increasing restrictions in recent months. The Kremlin’s actions suggest a potential move towards a complete blockade of the app, despite the fact that Russian officials themselves rely on it for communication.
According to reports from the business news outlet RBC, Russian authorities have initiated “partial restrictions” on Telegram. Sources indicate that Roskomnadzor is actively “slowing” the service, which has been a vital communication tool for many. On February 10, Alexander Yushchenko, deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, acknowledged that while there had been no formal discussions about slowing Telegram, the agency could block it if deemed necessary due to violations of Russian law. Court records reveal that Telegram has faced multiple misdemeanor cases, primarily for not removing prohibited content.
Roskomnadzor has accused Telegram of failing to comply with Russian legislation and not doing enough to combat fraud. The agency has stated its intention to “continue restricting” the service, although specific details regarding the measures in place remain unclear.
Recent Disruptions
For the second consecutive day, Telegram has been experiencing outages, as tracked by Downdetector and Sboy.rf. Complaints surged on February 9, with users reporting issues such as media files failing to load and messages not being sent or received. A telecommunications industry source confirmed a decline in Telegram’s traffic within Russia, noting that the slowdown initially impacted regional networks before spreading to major cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg.
A poll conducted on Meduza’s Telegram channel revealed that approximately 21 percent of respondents reported experiencing problems with the app, while 38 percent noted no changes. Interestingly, 23 percent indicated they were using a VPN and remained unaffected by the restrictions. The poll garnered over 35,000 responses, although it could not capture the full extent of users unable to access the service.
The recent measures follow a series of restrictions imposed on Telegram and WhatsApp over the past six months. Roskomnadzor has limited both platforms multiple times, citing efforts to combat criminal activity. In August 2025, audio and video calls were blocked, and intermittent service disruptions began in late October. While the exact nature of these restrictions was initially unclear, complaints about messaging app disruptions have gradually decreased.
In January 2026, reports surfaced indicating that Telegram was being deliberately slowed down, with lawmakers suggesting that the restrictions were linked to the app’s alleged legal violations. Although Roskomnadzor initially denied these claims, it later acknowledged the existence of new restrictions.
The Kremlin’s Strategy
The Kremlin’s attempts to limit independent messaging platforms coincide with the promotion of Max, a state-controlled alternative developed by VK. Despite introducing a channels feature similar to Telegram’s, Max has struggled to attract a comparable user base. Some officials have recognized this challenge, acknowledging that Telegram functions as a vital social network and that disconnecting users from it would be unwise.
As Telegram faces increasing pressure, Max has expanded its features to make it more appealing, allowing users to create private channels and invite subscribers. However, public channels remain restricted to a select group, limiting their reach.
Despite ongoing denials from Russian officials regarding plans to fully ban Telegram or WhatsApp, experts suggest that a gradual tightening of restrictions may render the apps effectively unusable. Observers have noted that the authorities are likely to test broader blocking mechanisms, potentially inspired by international examples of internet shutdowns.
For now, the continued popularity of Telegram’s channels may be the only factor preventing a complete ban, as government officials and pro-Kremlin propagandists continue to rely on the platform for communication and information dissemination.
