Russia Charges Telegram Founder Pavel Durov With Facilitating Terrorism, Seeks International Arrest

Russia has formally charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity, accusing the messaging platform of being used by Ukrainian intelligence services to recruit operatives and organize attacks inside Russia.

The charges, announced on Wednesday by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) and the Investigative Committee, represent the latest escalation in Moscow’s long-running conflict with Telegram. Authorities allege that a Telegram chatbot known as Daivinchik/Leo, a popular dating service in Russia, was exploited by Ukrainian agents posing as young women to recruit and manipulate Russian citizens into carrying out acts of sabotage and terrorism.

According to the FSB, 46 Russians between the ages of 12 and 22 have been arrested over the past year after allegedly being recruited through the chatbot to attack law enforcement officers or damage transportation, energy, communications, and financial infrastructure. Ukraine did not immediately respond to the allegations.

The FSB also said Durov has been placed on an international wanted list, although it did not specify whether Russia would seek an Interpol Red Notice. Interpol has not commented on the matter.

Telegram responded through its official X account by posting an image of the Russian-born billionaire making an obscene gesture with his middle finger. Durov, who currently lives in Dubai, has not issued a fresh public response. His exact whereabouts remain unclear after he recently posted that he was in Georgia.

Russia has significantly restricted access to Telegram as part of its broader effort to tighten internet controls and reduce reliance on foreign technology platforms. Most users now require a virtual private network (VPN) to access the service, although Russian government agencies, including the Kremlin and the Defense Ministry, continue to publish updates on the platform.

Durov, who founded VKontakte before leaving Russia in 2014, also faces legal scrutiny in France. He was arrested there in 2024 over allegations that Telegram failed to sufficiently combat criminal activity and cooperate with law enforcement investigations. Durov denies any wrongdoing, maintaining that Telegram meets its legal obligations to moderate harmful content while protecting user privacy and freedom of expression.