Russia has declared Telegram founder Pavel Durov wanted, accusing him of allowing the messaging platform to be used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and extremist groups.
Gatekeepers News reports that Russian authorities, through the Federal Security Service (FSB), alleged that Telegram’s management failed to remove multiple channels, group chats and bots that were allegedly being used by Ukrainian intelligence services, as well as terrorist and extremist organisations.
The FSB claimed that Ukrainian security agencies had been using a popular Telegram dating chatbot to lure and recruit Russian citizens for what it described as “sabotage and terrorist activities.”
According to the agency, 46 users of the chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, have been arrested across Russia over the past year on allegations including attacks on law enforcement officers, arson and other criminal acts.
The FSB said Durov has now been placed on an international wanted list over the allegations.
Shortly after the announcement, Telegram’s official account on X posted an image of Durov making an obscene gesture by raising his middle finger, a move widely seen as a response to the charges.
The 41-year-old billionaire has previously accused Russian authorities of “fabricating new pretexts to restrict Russians’ access to Telegram.”
Telegram remains one of Russia’s most widely used messaging platforms, serving tens of millions of users. However, the Russian government has increasingly restricted access to the app as part of efforts to encourage citizens to adopt MAX, a state-backed “super app.” The platform also has a significant user base in Ukraine.
Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing government demands to shut down opposition groups on Telegram. Before launching the messaging platform, he founded VKontakte, Russia’s largest social networking site, often referred to as the “Facebook of Russia.”
In 2024, Durov was arrested by French authorities at Le Bourget Airport over allegations linked to terrorism, money laundering, drug trafficking and the distribution of child abuse content. He has denied wrongdoing.
