Russia Initiates Criminal Case Against Pavel Durov; Telegram Throttling Hits 55%

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The long-standing standoff between the Kremlin and Telegram has reached a critical breaking point. Following months of escalating technical restrictions, Russian authorities have launched a formal criminal investigation into Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing him of facilitating terrorist activity.

This move accompanies a nationwide “degradation” of the service that has rendered the app nearly unusable for millions of Russian citizens, military personnel, and government officials who have come to rely on it as a primary communication tool.

The Legal Escalation: Terrorism Charges

According to reports first surfacing in Rossiyskaya Gazeta and Komsomolskaya Pravda, the Federal Security Service (FSB) has opened a case under Article 205.1.1 of the Russian Criminal Code. The investigation centers on allegations that Telegram’s refusal to provide decryption keys or cooperate with state security requests has directly enabled extremist organizations and foreign intelligence services to coordinate attacks on Russian soil.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed the investigation today, stating that the platform’s administration “does not want to cooperate” and that the legal action is a necessary response to the “uncontrolled use” of the messenger for criminal purposes.

“Degradation” and Domestic Impact

On February 10, 2026, Roskomnadzor officially increased the throttling of Telegram traffic to 55% nationwide. This technical “degradation” aims to discourage use by making media loading and message delivery unreliable.

• Voice and Video Calls: Effectively blocked since late 2025.
• Content Removal: Authorities claim Telegram has ignored over 150,000 takedown requests, covering everything from drug trafficking to “unreliable information” regarding military operations.

The crackdown has created a rare rift among the pro-war community. Many “Z-bloggers” and military commentators have publicly slammed the restrictions, arguing that Telegram remains the primary “horizontal” communication link for Russian units on the front lines in Ukraine. Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev countered these concerns by claiming that foreign intelligence services have gained the ability to intercept Telegram correspondence, making the platform a security liability for the military.

The Rise of “Max” and the Global Context

The Kremlin is aggressively pushing a domestic alternative called Max. Intended as a “sovereign” replacement, Max is being integrated into government services, though it faces heavy skepticism from privacy advocates who view it as a tool for total state surveillance.

Pavel Durov, currently based abroad, issued a statement characterizing the measures as an “authoritarian attempt to force citizens onto a state-controlled app.” He maintained that Telegram would continue to defend privacy, even as the platform faces fines totaling over 140 million rubles.

Key Statistics Cited by Russian Authorities

Analysis: A “Sovereign Internet” Reality

The situation marks the end of an era for Telegram’s “special status” in Russia. While the app was once tolerated for its utility in information warfare, the Kremlin now appears willing to endure the logistical chaos of a partial shutdown to achieve total digital sovereignty. For the average user, the choice is becoming stark: migrate to the state-monitored “Max,” or navigate a broken, throttled Telegram through increasingly illegal VPNs.