Russia Charges Telegram’s Founder With Facilitating Terrorism

Russia Charges Telegram’s Founder With Facilitating Terrorism

Russia’s main domestic security agency, the Federal Security Service (FSB), announced Wednesday, July 29, 2026, that it has charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with aiding terrorism. The agency stated it has also initiated an international search for the entrepreneur and placed him on an international wanted list.

The FSB accused the administration of the messaging app of failing to remove numerous channels, chats and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, extremist organizations, and terrorists. According to the security service, these tools were used to coordinate cyber-fraud, mass killings, and acts of sabotage and terrorism within Russia, leading to property damage worth billions of rubles and numerous human casualties, including women and children.

A specific point of contention involves a popular dating chatbot known as Daivinchik/Leo (or Dayvinchik), which has nearly 13.7 million monthly users. The FSB claims Ukrainian special services used the bot, with operatives posing as young women to lure and recruit Russians for terrorist activities. The agency reports that since July 2025, 46 users of the chatbot, aged 12 to 22, have been detained across 16 Russian regions for crimes including arson and assaults on law enforcement officers.

Durov did not immediately respond to the charges. However, Telegram's official account on X responded by posting an image of the founder making an obscene gesture with his middle finger toward Moscow.

A Long-Term Conflict Over Control

The charges follow years of friction between the Kremlin and the platform. Russia has effectively throttled Telegram as part of a broader campaign to bring the internet under state control, an effort that intensified after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While users can still access the app via virtual private network (VPN) services, many such services are routinely blocked. Other platforms, including X, Instagram, and Facebook, are banned, while Signal and Viber have been blocked.

Despite these restrictions, Telegram remains a virtual battlefield for the Russia-Ukraine war, used by military-linked channels, soldiers, and government agencies. Notably, the Kremlin and the Russian Defence Ministry continue to use the platform for official daily communications.

To replace foreign apps, Russia promotes a national messaging service called MAX. This state-backed platform is described by officials as a comprehensive hub for payments and government services. Critics argue it is a tool for surveillance, noting that it does not use end-to-end encryption and openly declares it will share user data with authorities upon request.

Durov's Legal History

Born in Russia, Durov later acquired citizenship in France and the United Arab Emirates and currently resides in Dubai. This is not his first conflict with Russian authorities; he previously founded the social media site VKontakte, but sold his remaining stake in 2014 following government pressure. VK has since come under the control of Kremlin-friendly firms.

Durov has faced legal challenges elsewhere. In 2024, he was arrested in Paris over allegations that Telegram was used for drug trafficking and the distribution of child sexual abuse images. He stated in March 2025 that he returned to Dubai after spending several months in France. He has denied wrongdoing in the French case, asserting that Telegram meets its obligations to cooperate with authorities and moderate illegal content.

Within Russia, the legal pressure has been building for months. Russian state media reported in February that a terrorism-related investigation into Durov had begun. In April, Durov disclosed that a summons for Suspect P.V. Durov was delivered to a former Russian residence where he had lived 20 years prior. At the time, Durov claimed the authorities were attempting to suppress the right to privacy and free speech, stating he was proud to be guilty of defending constitutional protections for private correspondence.

The current charges carry severe penalties; if convicted in Russia, the entrepreneur could face up to life in prison.

Uncertain Future

While the FSB has launched international search proceedings, the agency did not specify the mechanism it would use. Interpol has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding a potential Red Notice.

Durov's current location is not officially disclosed. While he has been linked to Dubai in May, a post shared on July 23 indicated he had recently visited Georgia. The outcome may depend partly on the UAE, which maintains friendly ties with Moscow through energy and finance but may hesitate to hand over the founder for fear of damaging its image as a technology and enterprise hub.