Russia Places Telegram Founder Pavel Durov on Wanted List

Russia has officially placed Pavel Durov, the founder, owner, and CEO of the messaging application Telegram, on an international wanted list, according to a statement from the country's primary domestic security agency on Wednesday. The charges levied against Durov, who was born and initiated his professional career in Russia before relocating abroad, coincide with escalating efforts by Russian authorities to restrict access to Telegram, a platform that enjoys significant popularity within the country. This move is part of a broader, long-term initiative by the Kremlin to exert greater control over the internet, an effort that has notably intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in February 2022.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) explicitly accused Telegram's administration of failing to remove a substantial number of channels, chats, and bots that they allege have been utilized by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist organizations, and extremist groups. The FSB claims these platforms were instrumental in preparing and coordinating acts of sabotage, terrorism, mass murder, and cyber fraud within Russia, resulting in "numerous human casualties." The agency further detailed accusations that Ukrainian security services exploited a popular dating chatbot on Telegram to recruit Russians for "sabotage and terrorist activities." The FSB reported that 46 users of this chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, have been apprehended across Russia since July 2025. These individuals are accused of offenses including assaults on law enforcement officers, arson, and other criminal acts.

Earlier in the year, Durov had publicly stated that Russian authorities had initiated a criminal investigation against him. He accused the Russian government of fabricating pretexts to justify restricting Telegram's access, characterizing these actions as an attempt "to suppress the right to privacy and free speech." If found guilty of the charges in Russia, Durov, an entrepreneur, could face a potential sentence of life imprisonment. Telegram had not immediately provided a response to a request for comment at the time of the report. The company's official website indicates that its base of operations is in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Durov reportedly resides. Durov holds dual citizenship in France and the UAE. Under President Vladimir Putin's administration, Russian authorities have consistently pursued a policy of stringent internet censorship, with Telegram becoming a focal point of these control measures.