Moscow, Russia. Russia said on Wednesday it had charged Telegram founder Pavel Durov with facilitating terrorist activity, alleging that Ukrainian spies used the messaging platform to organise attacks inside the country. Telegram responded with an image on its official X account showing the Russian-born billionaire making an obscene gesture.
Investigation and access restrictions
The Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the charges, which followed a lengthy investigation into Dubai-based Durov and Telegram.
Moscow has effectively restricted access to Telegram as part of a broader campaign against foreign technology platforms and to increase internet controls. Users in Russia can access the service only through a VPN, although state institutions, including the Kremlin and defence ministry, continue to post on the platform daily.
Alleged recruitment through dating chatbot
The FSB and the state Investigative Committee said a Telegram chatbot, Daivinchik/Leo, was allegedly used by Ukrainian special services to recruit young Russians for sabotage and terrorist operations.
Daivinchik/Leo is a dating chatbot popular in Russia, where Tinder is no longer available. Russian authorities alleged that Ukrainian operatives posing as young women contacted and entrapped users before coercing them into committing crimes.
The FSB said 46 Russians aged between 12 and 22 had been arrested over the past year after allegedly being recruited through the chatbot to attack law enforcement officers or set fire to transport, energy, communications or financial infrastructure.
Role in the war
Telegram has been described as a virtual battlefield in the war between Russia and Ukraine, with officials, soldiers and influential bloggers on both sides using the platform.
There was no immediate comment from Ukraine.