Russia charges Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism

Russia has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism and issued an international arrest warrant, marking a significant escalation in the Kremlin’s long-running dispute with the messaging platform over content moderation. The Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the charges on Wednesday, alleging that Telegram failed to remove content used by Ukrainian intelligence services, terrorist groups, and extremist organizations to coordinate sabotage, terrorist attacks, mass killings, and cyber-fraud within Russia. The FSB stated that the material enabled activities threatening national security, including “numerous human casualties” and billions of rubles in property damage.

The FSB’s statement cited a dating chatbot called Dayvinchik (also referred to as Daivinchik/Leo) on Telegram, which it claimed was exploited by Ukrainian special services to recruit Russian users for “sabotage and terrorist activities.” According to the FSB, 46 users aged 12 to 22 were detained across 16 Russian regions since July 2025 for offenses ranging from assaults on law enforcement to arson. Telegram’s official X account responded to the charges by posting an image of Durov making an obscene gesture, though neither Durov nor the platform immediately commented on the allegations.

Durov, who holds dual French and Emirati citizenship and resides in Dubai, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing. He accused Russian authorities of fabricating pretexts to restrict Telegram’s access, a claim echoed by the company. The FSB’s latest move aligns with broader efforts by Moscow to tighten control over the internet, including banning foreign platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X while promoting its state-backed messaging service, MAX. Unlike Telegram, MAX does not use end-to-end encryption and explicitly states it will share user data with authorities upon request.

The FSB’s charges against Durov come amid renewed scrutiny of his activities. Russian state media first reported in February that he was under investigation in connection with a terrorism-related case. In April, Durov disclosed that a legal summons addressed to “Suspect P.V. Durov” had been delivered to an apartment in Russia where he had lived about 20 years earlier. He responded at the time by accusing authorities of targeting him for defending constitutional protections guaranteeing freedom of speech and the privacy of personal correspondence, adding that he was “proud to be guilty” of upholding those rights.

Durov’s exact location remains undisclosed, though recent updates on his Telegram channel indicated he was in Dubai in May. A post shared on July 23 suggested he had visited Georgia and expressed hope of returning in the future. The FSB’s international arrest warrant process has not yet been clarified, with no immediate confirmation that Interpol has issued a Red Notice. A source with knowledge of the situation noted that if Moscow requests a Red Notice, the process would likely be slow. Dubai, where Durov lives, has friendly relations with Moscow, but his potential extradition could risk damaging the emirate’s image as a hub for enterprise and technology.

Telegram, founded in 2013, has grown into one of the world’s largest encrypted messaging platforms, with around 950 million users. Despite Moscow’s efforts to curb its influence, state institutions including the Kremlin and the Defence Ministry continue to use the app for official communications. The platform has become a critical channel for information sharing during the Russia-Ukraine war, used by civilians, government agencies, and military-linked channels on both sides of the conflict. The FSB’s latest accusations underscore the geopolitical tensions surrounding encrypted communication, as state actors seek to monitor and control digital spaces deemed hostile to their interests.

Durov’s legal troubles extend beyond Russia. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris on allegations that Telegram facilitated drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse material. French authorities later released him on a $8.19 million bail, while the investigation remains ongoing. The Kremlin has criticized the French prosecution as “selective,” with President Vladimir Putin suggesting that all platforms face similar scrutiny. Durov, however, has consistently denied wrongdoing, framing his clashes with governments as a fight for digital freedom.

Russia’s efforts to control the internet have intensified since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The FSB claims Telegram’s administration failed to remove “numerous channels, chats and bots” used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist, and extremist organizations to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terrorism in Russia. These activities have led to “numerous human casualties,” according to the security agency. Durov has accused Russian authorities of fabricating pretexts to restrict access to Telegram, calling it part of a broader attempt to “suppress the right to privacy and free speech.”

Under President Vladimir Putin, Russian authorities have adopted restrictive laws and banned websites and platforms that don’t comply, while promoting the “national” messaging app MAX. Critics argue that MAX could be used for surveillance, as it does not use end-to-end encryption and openly declares it will share user data with authorities upon request. Multiple popular social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and X, have been banned in Russia; YouTube has been throttled; and messaging apps like Signal and Viber have been blocked. Despite these restrictions, Telegram remains widely used, with its user base continuing to grow despite ongoing legal challenges.