Russia is preparing to implement a nationwide block on Telegram starting April 1, 2026, according to reports from the Russian insider channel Baza.
The move would make the messaging platform completely inaccessible without VPN technology, mirroring previous restrictions imposed on Instagram and Facebook in the country.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s telecommunications regulator, has neither confirmed nor denied the specific implementation date, maintaining silence on the matter despite the widespread reports.
The agency has previously implemented throttling measures against Telegram, including reduced connection speeds and limited voice calling capabilities, as part of ongoing efforts to pressure the platform into compliance with Russian data storage and content moderation requirements.
Telegram has faced intermittent restrictions in Russia for several years. The current situation escalates existing measures that have already degraded service quality for Russian users, as reported by X (formerly known as Twitter).
Roskomnadzor justifies these actions by citing the need to protect users and ensure compliance with local regulations requiring technology companies to store Russian user data on servers within the country’s borders.
The platform must also respond to government requests for content removal and adhere to strict content moderation policies.
These requirements have been contentious points between Russian authorities and international tech companies, with several platforms choosing to exit the Russian market rather than comply.
A State Duma deputy publicly characterized the blocking reports as “strange,” suggesting possible internal disagreement within Russian governmental bodies about the measure.
The Kremlin has stated that negotiations with Telegram continue, though details about these discussions remain undisclosed.
Pavel Durov, Telegram’s founder and CEO, has not issued any public statement regarding the potential ban. His silence leaves uncertainty about whether the platform will attempt to negotiate compliance or resist the restrictions.
If implemented, the block would significantly impact millions of Russian users who rely on Telegram for communication, news dissemination, and business operations.
VPN services would become essential for continued access, potentially driving increased adoption of circumvention technologies among the Russian population.
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