Russia Accuses Telegram Founder Pavel Durov of Terrorist Facilitation

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:45:17 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Russian FSB has issued an international arrest warrant for Telegram’s founder over alleged use of the app by Ukrainian forces.

The FSB claims Telegram was employed by Ukrainian intelligence to plan and coordinate acts of sabotage inside Russia, and that the app failed to remove hostile channels. A worldwide arrest warrant now targets the 41‑year‑old founder who lives abroad. The move follows accusations that the messenger platform has been used as a recruitment tool by Ukraine’s secret services, while Russia tightens digital restrictions. Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to ban opposition groups, has faced earlier legal scrutiny in France for alleged moderation failures. The charges underscore the growing tension between major social media and state security agencies amid the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.

Russia Accuses Telegram Founder Pavel Durov of Terrorist Facilitation

Russia has charged Telegram’s founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorism, alleging that the app was used by Ukrainian secret services to recruit and orchestrate sabotage activities inside Russia.

The FSB — Russia’s domestic security service — stated that Telegram was employed to prepare and coordinate acts of sabotage and terror, and that the platform failed to delete channels, chats and bots used by Ukraine. An international arrest warrant has been issued for the Russian‑born entrepreneur, who now resides abroad.

Shortly after the charge was announced, Telegram’s account on X posted an image of Durov holding up his middle finger, a clear rebuke of the Russian authorities’ claims that he is “fabricating new pretexts to restrict Russians’ access.”

Telegram remains popular in Russia, with tens of millions of users despite ongoing restrictions as part of a wider crackdown on internet freedoms. It is equally widely used in Ukraine.

Durov, 41, has lived outside of Russia for years and holds French and United Arab Emirates passports. He left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with orders to shut down opposition communities on the platform.

Earlier this year, in France, Durov was arrested and formally investigated for allegedly failing to moderate the app to reduce criminal activity. He was released after several months, though the investigation continues.