Russia has formally charged its creator, Pavel Durov, with facilitating terrorism, claiming that the messaging app Telegram has been used to recruit members for the Ukrainian secret services and coordinate sabotage. The FSB states that Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots employed by Ukrainian operatives to plot acts of terror within Russia.
An international arrest warrant was issued against Durov, who now lives abroad. Telegram’s X account, moments after the announcement, posted a photo of the founder giving the middle finger, a gesture that has been used by Durov in previous criticisms of Russian authorities for restricting access to the platform.
Telegram is used by an estimated 950 million people worldwide, drawing scrutiny for its privacy stance and moderation policies. The app’s popularity in Russia and Ukraine has made it a focal point in discussions about internet freedom and state control.
Durov left Russia after refusing to shut down opposition communities in 2014, and had previously founded VKontakte, the “Facebook of Russia.” Holding French and UAE passports, the 41‑year‑old is an international figure whose allegations highlight growing tensions between tech giants and national security agencies.
The filing also raises questions over whether other countries or authorities will honor an arrest warrant issued by Russia. The situation follows prior investigations in France in 2024, where Durov was charged with failing to moderate content deemed criminal, though the investigation remains ongoing.
