Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, has taken decisive action against Telegram, the widely used messaging platform, by intentionally throttling its service. This move comes as users throughout the nation report significant disruptions, with nearly 90 million local users affected. The regulator cited Telegram’s non-compliance with Russian law as the primary reason for these restrictions.
Legal Challenges and Financial Penalties
In a development that underscores the ongoing tension between the platform and Russian authorities, a Moscow court has initiated seven legal cases against Telegram since the beginning of 2026. The allegations include the platform’s refusal to remove content deemed to promote “extremist” activities or contain pornographic material. As a result, Telegram faces potential fines exceeding 0,000.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has indicated that the restrictions will persist as long as Telegram continues to violate these regulations. Meanwhile, users have reported widespread service disruptions, particularly in 15 Russian regions, as documented by internet monitoring service Downdetector.
Responses from Telegram’s Founder
Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, has characterized the recent actions as an “authoritarian move,” suggesting that the Kremlin’s strategy aims to drive users toward a state-controlled messaging alternative designed for surveillance and political censorship. He drew parallels between Russia’s approach and Iran’s previous ban on Telegram, which sought to redirect users to a government-backed platform. Despite such efforts, Durov noted that many Iranians continued to access Telegram through circumvention tools.
A History of Regulatory Challenges
This is not the first time Telegram has faced legal challenges in Russia. In 2018, a court ordered a ban on the platform after it refused to provide encryption keys to the Federal Security Service (FSB). However, the ban was lifted in 2020 following Telegram’s willingness to assist in counter-terrorism efforts. More recently, in August, Roskomnadzor restricted calls via Telegram and WhatsApp, citing their use by fraudsters to recruit individuals into “sabotage and terrorist activities.”
Promotion of a National Messaging Alternative
In response to the ongoing restrictions on popular messaging apps, Russian officials have been promoting a national messaging service named Max. This government-backed platform is modeled after China’s WeChat and was developed by the creator of the social network VKontakte.
Internal Criticism of the Restrictions
The latest restrictions on Telegram have not gone unnoticed, drawing criticism from various quarters within Russia, including state officials and military personnel. Authorities in the Belgorod region, which frequently experiences conflict due to its proximity to Ukraine, have expressed concerns that further disruptions could jeopardize safety. The region’s governor emphasized that many residents rely on Telegram for timely news and emergency updates during wartime, and any delays could hinder the dissemination of critical alerts.
Pro-war military bloggers have also voiced their discontent, highlighting Telegram’s integral role in coordinating logistics, crowd-sourcing supplies, and sharing frontline updates within Russia’s military efforts. However, Peskov downplayed these concerns, asserting that military communications do not rely on messaging apps and that any potential impact on operations would be minimal.
A Broader Context of Internet Disruptions
The recent Telegram restrictions are part of a larger trend of internet disruptions across Russia. Since May, regional authorities have intermittently cut mobile internet access, citing the need to counter Ukrainian drone attacks. In October, a mandatory 24-hour mobile internet blackout was imposed on individuals entering the country with foreign SIM cards, causing significant inconvenience for travelers, expatriates, and cross-border businesses. Meanwhile, major Western platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Discord remain largely inaccessible in Russia without the use of a VPN.
