Russian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Telegram co-founder and CEO Pavel Durov over allegations of facilitating terrorist activities through the messaging platform. The probe comes as tensions escalate between the encrypted messaging app and Russian regulators demanding content removal.
State media outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported on Tuesday that Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) is leading the investigation into Durov. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed the probe’s existence, stating that the FSB was “carrying out its functions” based on materials related to the case.
The investigation stems from Telegram’s refusal to comply with demands from Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state media regulator, to remove content flagged as extremist or illegal.
According to state-linked publication Komsomolskaya Pravda, Telegram has declined to remove nearly 155,000 channels, chats, and bots that Russian authorities claim contain harmful material.
The flagged content includes 104,093 channels allegedly containing false information, 10,598 promoting extremism, 4,168 justifying extremist activity, and 3,771 related to drugs. Russian authorities have escalated pressure on the platform since early February, when Roskomnadzor tightened messenger restrictions.
Former Russian presidential internet adviser German Klimenko warned that the investigation could result in Telegram being labeled as an extremist organization. Such a designation would criminalize payments for Telegram Premium subscriptions and advertising on the platform, potentially forcing the service out of the Russian market.
Durov has publicly accused Russian authorities of orchestrating the pressure campaign to promote MAX, a new state-backed messenger.
In a February 10 post on his Telegram channel, the CEO drew parallels to similar tactics employed by other governments.
“Despite the ban, most Iranians still use Telegram and prefer it to surveilled apps,” Durov wrote, referencing Iran’s unsuccessful attempts to force users away from the platform. He added that “restricting citizens’ freedom is never the right answer” and emphasized that “Telegram stands for freedom of speech and privacy, no matter the pressure.”
The Russian criminal probe adds to Durov’s mounting legal challenges abroad. French authorities arrested the entrepreneur in August 2024 as part of an ongoing investigation into Telegram’s content moderation practices. Durov faced the possibility of up to 10 years in prison under French law.
French officials lifted Durov’s travel ban in November 2025, though the investigation remains active. The dual legal pressures from Russia and France highlight the growing regulatory scrutiny facing encrypted messaging platforms worldwide.
Telegram has built its reputation on providing end-to-end encrypted communications and resisting government censorship demands. The platform claims to serve hundreds of millions of users globally, many in regions where privacy concerns and government surveillance are significant issues.
The timing of Russia’s investigation coincides with increased global attention on content moderation policies at major technology platforms. Regulators worldwide are pushing for greater platform accountability while technology companies argue for user privacy protections and free speech principles.
Telegram did not respond to media inquiries about the Russian investigation by press time. Our press team reached out to Telegram for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
The outcome of the Russian probe could set important precedents for how governments interact with encrypted messaging services. If Russian authorities proceed with extremist designations, it may influence other nations considering similar regulatory approaches.
As the investigation unfolds, Telegram users and industry observers are watching closely to see whether Durov and his platform will maintain their resistance to government pressure or seek compromise with Russian authorities.
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