Russia Issues International Search for Telegram CEO Pavel Durov

Russia has launched efforts to secure the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov, accusing the billionaire entrepreneur of “complicity in terrorism” by allegedly allowing the messaging platform to be used for recruitment by Ukrainian security services.

The Federal Security Service (FSB) announced on Wednesday that it had initiated international search proceedings against Durov.

According to the agency, “An international wanted notice has been issued… for the head of the Telegram administration, P. Durov.”

Authorities have not disclosed the exact type of international notice issued, and it remains uncertain whether other countries or international policing organisations will honour the request.

Durov, who was born in Russia but now holds French and UAE citizenship, has spent years outside the country following repeated disputes with Moscow over internet freedom, encryption and user privacy.

Telegram remains one of Russia’s most widely used messaging platforms despite several unsuccessful attempts by authorities to block access or pressure the company into sharing user information and promoting a government-backed alternative.

The FSB alleged that Ukrainian security agencies had used Telegram to recruit Russians for sabotage operations and accused Durov of failing to remove prohibited material from the platform.

Both Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of using social media networks to recruit individuals during the more than four-year conflict between the two countries.

Durov currently lives in France, where he has also faced legal proceedings linked to allegations concerning illegal content shared through Telegram.

Before creating Telegram, Durov founded VKontakte, widely referred to as “Russia’s Facebook.” He later left the company after it came under increasing government influence and went on to build Telegram into one of the world’s largest messaging platforms.

Despite years of attempts by Russian regulators to block the service, Telegram has continued to operate widely across the country.

Durov has not commented on the latest accusations.

In recent months, state-controlled social network VK has intensified efforts to promote its government-supported messaging service, Max, as an alternative to Telegram and WhatsApp.

Durov has criticised the application, calling it “a state-controlled app built for surveillance and political censorship.”

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