Russian authorities have placed Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, on an international wanted list, accusing him of supporting terrorist activities linked to Ukraine. The charges are connected to a criminal investigation involving a Telegram chatbot allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence to recruit Russians for sabotage.
The controversy centers on the "Dayvinchik/Leo Dating, Communication, and New Friends" bot, which Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claims was exploited by Ukrainian agents. According to the FSB, operatives created fake female profiles on the chatbot to lure young Russian men into romantic relationships, encouraging them to share sensitive information like geolocations. This supposedly facilitated acts of sabotage within Russia.
Earlier, Russia’s media regulator, Roskomnadzor, had banned the bot citing violations including the spread of child pornography and LGBT content, both illegal under Russian law. Now, the accusations have escalated to allegations of terrorism support, with Moscow intensifying its crackdown on Telegram, a platform it has long tried to control.
Telegram, Durov, and Moscow’s Increasing Pressure
Pavel Durov’s Telegram has faced persistent obstacles in Russia, including temporary blocks and demands to remove certain content. The new criminal case and international warrant mark a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to hold Durov accountable for the platform’s usage by Ukrainian groups.
The FSB’s claims highlight how digital tools and social platforms are becoming battlegrounds in the geopolitical conflict. With Telegram boasting hundreds of millions of users worldwide, the implications for global messaging apps are profound. This latest move by Russia could increase pressure on Telegram's operations and raise concerns about internet freedom in the region.
According to local reports, the criminal proceedings and international wanted status were announced just as Telegram faces new regulations from Moscow targeting crypto exchanges and custodians, reflecting a broader tightening of control over digital spaces in Russia.
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