Russia has issued an international wanted notice for Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing the tech billionaire of "complicity in terrorism" in a dramatic escalation of the Kremlin's long-running battle with one of the world's most influential messaging platforms.

The move marks the latest attempt by Moscow to tighten control over online communications as the war in Ukraine continues. If convicted under Russian law, Durov could face life imprisonment, although he has lived outside Russia for years and holds French and Emirati citizenship.

Kremlin Turns Up Pressure on Telegram

Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said Durov failed to remove Telegram channels, chats and bots allegedly used by Ukrainian intelligence agencies and extremist groups to organise sabotage, terrorism and cybercrime inside Russia.

The agency claimed the online activity had contributed to attacks causing "numerous human casualties". It also alleged a Telegram dating chatbot was used to recruit Russians into carrying out acts including arson and assaults on law enforcement officers.

Young Recruits at the Centre of Allegations

According to the FSB, 46 users of the chatbot, aged between 12 and 22, have been detained across Russia since July 2025. Authorities accused them of involvement in sabotage and other offences linked to Ukrainian intelligence operations.

The claims have not been independently verified. Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv and its supporters of orchestrating attacks inside Russia while routinely bringing terrorism and extremism charges against political opponents and critics.

A Familiar Clash Between Durov and Moscow

Durov, 41, has spent years at odds with the Russian state over demands to hand over user data and weaken Telegram's encryption. Russian authorities have repeatedly tried to restrict the platform as they sought greater control over the country's digital landscape.

Born in St Petersburg, Durov founded the social media network VKontakte before leaving Russia after the company came under increasing state pressure. He later created Telegram, which has grown into one of the world's largest messaging services.

Silence From Durov as Legal Risks Grow

Neither Durov nor Telegram issued an immediate formal response to the wanted notice. Shortly after the announcement, Telegram's official account on X posted an image of Durov raising his middle finger, but offered no further comment.

The case adds to mounting legal pressure on the entrepreneur, who is also facing scrutiny in France over allegations relating to illegal content shared on Telegram. It leaves one of the world's most prominent technology executives under pressure from multiple jurisdictions as governments intensify efforts to police online platforms.

Russia issues international wanted notice against Telegram founder Pavel Durov for aiding terrorism

Russia's attempt to crack down on Telegram founder Pavel Durov has sparked open defiance instead of submission, with the billionaire tech entrepreneur ridiculing the Kremlin just days after being accused of assisting terrorist activity.

The case marks a dramatic escalation in Moscow's long-running battle to bring one of the world's biggest messaging platforms under tighter state control.

The meme posted on Telegram by Durov in response to charges by the FSB (Photo: Telegram)

Wanted List Met With a Meme

A day after Russia's Federal Security Service placed him on an international wanted list, Durov responded with sarcasm rather than concern. Writing to his 11.3 million followers from Dubai, the 41-year-old accused the Kremlin of punishing him for refusing demands for "mass surveillance and censorship" on Telegram.

He accompanied the post with a mocking meme featuring Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov meeting the Taliban, highlighting what he portrayed as contradictions in Moscow's position.

Security Claims Face Scrutiny

The FSB alleges Telegram has been used by Ukrainian intelligence services to recruit Russians for sabotage and terrorist attacks through deception. The accusation comes as Moscow intensifies efforts to portray Ukraine's covert operations as a growing domestic security threat.

Critics argue the claim is undermined by evidence that Russian intelligence has itself used Telegram to recruit operatives for espionage, sabotage and influence operations across Europe.

Platform at the Centre of Global Extremism

Telegram has long attracted scrutiny from Western governments and security experts because of its encrypted communications and broad broadcasting tools. Terrorist organisations, extremist groups and organised criminal networks have all used the platform to spread propaganda, recruit supporters and coordinate activities.

Researchers say Telegram has removed many extremist channels over the years but continues to apply a lighter level of moderation than many rival platforms, preserving its reputation as a space for uncensored communication.

A Long War Between Putin and Durov

Durov's conflict with the Kremlin predates Telegram itself. After refusing to censor anti-government groups on Russian social network VK, he left Russia in 2014 and built Telegram around privacy and resistance to state surveillance.

Despite years of official criticism, Russian ministries and the Kremlin continue to rely heavily on Telegram to communicate with the public. That contradiction lies at the heart of Moscow's latest confrontation with one of Russia's most influential technology figures, whose refusal to hand over user data remains a direct challenge to the Kremlin's tightening grip on the digital sphere.

Putin is losing his battle with 'Russia's Zuckerberg' – and being openly mocked

Maybe I'm confused, but I think I saw reports at the time that Russia started the war, that they used Telegram to communicate with the frontline.