Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has issued an international arrest warrant for Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating terrorist activities through the messaging platform.
The announcement, made on Wednesday, July 29, alleges that Telegram failed to remove channels, chats and bots reportedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies, terrorist groups and extremist organisations to coordinate attacks and other criminal activities inside Russia.
Russia Levels Serious Allegations
According to the FSB, the platform was used to organise sabotage operations, terrorist attacks, mass killings and cyber fraud, which authorities claim resulted in civilian casualties and significant property damage.
The agency also alleged that Telegram-based services, including a dating bot identified as “Daivinchik” or “Leo,” were used by Ukrainian intelligence operatives to recruit young Russians between the ages of 12 and 22 for arson attacks, assaults on law enforcement officers and financial crimes.
Russian authorities said at least 46 suspects linked to the alleged recruitment network have been arrested since July 2025.
Durov Yet to Respond
Pavel Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing government requests related to content moderation on his former social media platform VKontakte, currently holds French and UAE citizenship and is believed to reside mainly in the United Arab Emirates.
There was no immediate official response from Durov to the latest charges. However, shortly after the announcement, Telegram’s official account on X shared a photo of Durov making an obscene hand gesture.
Longstanding Dispute With Russian Authorities
The latest development marks another chapter in the long-running dispute between Telegram and the Russian government.
Over the years, Russian authorities have attempted to block and restrict access to the messaging platform while promoting state-backed alternatives. Earlier this year, Russian state media also reported that a criminal investigation involving Telegram had been opened.
Durov was previously arrested in France in 2024 over allegations relating to the platform’s moderation practices and cooperation with law enforcement. He was later released and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Questions Over Enforcement
Although Russia has issued an international arrest warrant, the practical impact remains uncertain.
Durov’s foreign citizenship and residence outside Russia could complicate any attempt to enforce the warrant. In addition, Interpol generally avoids politically motivated notices, while France does not extradite its own citizens.
The case is expected to fuel further global debate over digital privacy, platform accountability and the role of messaging applications in modern geopolitical conflicts.
