Russia has yet again intensified its legal action against the founder of Telegram, Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating terrorist-related activities and placing him on a global wanted list, officials reported on Wednesday. 

The country’s move came as its capital, Moscow, alleged that Ukrainian Intelligence agencies exploited the popular messaging platform, Telegram, to recruit young Russians for attacks within the country.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) levelled the allegations against Durov and marked another chapter in the Kremlin’s widening campaign against the platform, which has frequently been under scrutiny from Russian authorities. 

FSB claims Telegram used to recruit attackers

As per FSB officials, Telegram channels, group chats and automated bots allegedly operated by Ukrainian security services have remained accessible on the platform, enabling the planning and  execution of attacks on Russian territory. 

The agency further claimed that alleged activities culminated in substantial casualties, including women and kids, while inflicting damage worth billions of roubles. However, the mentioned figures have been provided solely by the FSB and have not been verified independently. 

A service identified by the FSB as ‘Divingchik’ remains central to the probe. Russian investigators alleged that Ukrainian operatives posed as young women on Telegram and established contact with young Russian men, to later manipulate them into carrying out attacks. 

The security agency added to the claims, asserting that since July 2025, authorities have detained 46 persons across 16 Russian regions in connection with the alleged operation. Among the ones arrested are accused of offences ranging from arson to attacks on police personnel. 

However, these claims too, have not been confirmed independently. 

Criminal charges against Durov

Russia’s official newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta and the pro-Kremlin tabloid, Komsomolskaya Pravda, both cited FSB materials in February this year, and accused Durov of assisting terrorist activity under Article 205.1 of Russia’s criminal code, an offence which carries a jail term of 15 years. 

The Telegram founder left Russia in 2014 and now holds citizenship of France and the UAE. However, he has denied the accusations vehemently and in turn, accused the Russian authorities of fabricating allegations to justify tighter restrictions on Telegram, terming the campaign ‘a sad spectacle’ of a state that is afraid of its own people. 

Telegram under substantial pressure

The case has unfolded amid an intensified effort by the Kremlin to curb Telegram’s influence. In recent months, Russian regulators have reportedly slowed the platform’s services and have also blocked its calling features while promoting MAX, a state-backed messaging application integrated with government surveillance systems. 

On the other hand, Telegram has consistently shunned the allegations that it serves as a hub for criminal activity or functions as a tool for Western or Ukrainian intelligence agencies. 

In a parallel development, Durov is under the scanner in France following his arrest near Paris in August 2024 over allegations that Telegram failed to adequately prevent criminal misuse of its platform. The French inquiry, however, is not related to the Russian case.