Obgist | Nigeria News, Celebrity Scoop, International Gist and Tech News

Russia targets Pavel Durov with terrorism charges, claiming Telegram aids Ukraine as the tech war intensifies.

The Russian government has officially launched a criminal investigation into Pavel Durov, the billionaire founder of Telegram. This move follows a total breakdown in talks between the tech mogul and the Kremlin, signaling a new low in their relationship.

According to reports from state-run media outlets, the authorities are now labeling Telegram as a "main instrument" for NATO and Ukrainian intelligence. 

They claim the app has been used to coordinate at least 13 attempts to assassinate top Russian military officers since the war began.

The FSB, Russia’s security service, further alleged that the platform has facilitated bombings and arson attacks on recruitment centers. They argue that while Telegram ignores Russia’s legal requests, it remains quick to comply with orders from Western governments.

Pavel Durov has fired back, describing the investigation as a "sad spectacle." He believes the Russian government is simply afraid of its own people. 

According to him, the authorities are fabricating excuses to kill off privacy and free speech on the platform.

Durov, 41, suggests that the real motive is to force Russian citizens to use "Max," a state-controlled app designed for surveillance and political censorship. 

It is worth noting that Durov left Russia in 2014 after he was forced to sell his stake in VK, the country’s largest social network.

This is not the only legal fire Durov is fighting. He is still under investigation in France for allegedly allowing illicit transactions and drug trafficking on Telegram. 

Although his travel ban was lifted in late 2025, he is still required to return to France periodically for questioning.

The heat on tech giants isn't stopping with him. French authorities have also set their sights on Elon Musk, with a scheduled questioning for the X owner on April 20. 

As governments worldwide tighten the noose, the future of private digital communication remains hanging in the balance.