Amanze Chinonye
Telegram users across Russia on Tuesday reported widespread slowdowns and intermittent outages after authorities moved to restrict the messaging platform, marking a renewed escalation in Moscow’s long-running standoff with the app while stopping short of an outright ban.
Reports from users in Moscow, St Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and several other regions indicated difficulty loading messages, delayed media downloads and unstable connections. Independent outage trackers also showed a sharp spike in complaints, pointing to what analysts described as deliberate throttling rather than a total shutdown.
Russia’s federal communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, confirmed it had introduced additional “technical measures” affecting Telegram, citing the company’s alleged failure to comply with domestic laws on content regulation, fraud prevention and data localisation. The regulator did not disclose specific technical details but insisted the steps were lawful and targeted.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelDespite the disruptions, Telegram remains accessible across much of the country, and many state institutions and government officials continue to operate official channels on the platform. Media reports stressed that the current action represents a partial restriction rather than a nationwide ban.
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The move drew strong political backing from hardline lawmakers. Russian State Duma deputy Andrei Gurulev publicly defended the slowdown, framing it as part of Russia’s broader confrontation with Western influence.
“Slowing down Telegram is our fight against NATO,” Gurulev was quoted as saying. “Russians can tolerate the inconvenience. There is no other way,” according to multiple Russian and international media reports.
Telegram, founded by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, has long been a critical information hub in Russia, widely used by independent journalists, opposition figures and pro-government voices alike. The platform has previously resisted pressure to hand over encryption keys or remove content deemed illegal by Russian authorities.
Analysts note that the latest restrictions fit a broader pattern of increasing state control over foreign digital platforms since the invasion of Ukraine, as Moscow seeks to limit the spread of dissenting narratives while promoting domestic alternatives.
While some lawmakers have floated the possibility of a full Telegram ban later in the year, no formal decision has been announced. For now, users continue to experience degraded service, with uncertainty over whether the restrictions will be tightened further in the coming weeks.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
