Russia Strangles Last Free Speech App

Russia’s Kremlin tightens its iron grip on free speech by throttling Telegram, the last major independent messaging app, to herd citizens into a state-controlled surveillance super-app called Max.

Story Snapshot

Roskomnadzor confirmed on February 10, 2026, ongoing slowdowns and restrictions on Telegram for alleged non-compliance with Russian laws on content and fraud.
This incremental throttling echoes failed 2018 ban tactics but aims to force users toward the Kremlin-backed Max platform ahead of September 2026 elections.
Telegram founder Pavel Durov slams Max as a censorship tool, comparing it to Iran’s failed ban, while officials still rely on Telegram channels.
Partial blocks on WhatsApp calls and YouTube throttling signal broader “sovereign internet” push amid Ukraine war, curbing dissent and NATO influence.

Roskomnadzor Escalates Restrictions on Telegram

Roskomnadzor, Russia’s federal censorship agency, confirmed on February 10, 2026, that it disrupted Telegram operations through deliberate slowdowns and limits. The agency cited Telegram’s failure to comply with laws requiring content removal, fraud prevention, and data protection. This follows August 2025 blocks on audio and video calls for both Telegram and WhatsApp to combat scams. Intermittent disruptions started in southern Russia in late October 2025, expanding nationwide by mid-January 2026. Telegram now faces eight court cases and potential fines up to 64 million rubles, about $830,000. User complaints have surged in Moscow, with the app malfunctioning across the country.

Kremlin’s Push for State-Controlled Max App

The Kremlin promotes Max, a state-backed super-app integrating messaging and government services, as a secure alternative to foreign platforms. Enabled by a Putin-signed law in mid-2025, Max positions itself against “NATO threats” during the Ukraine war. Roskomnadzor vows successive restrictions until Telegram complies, mirroring tactics that rendered YouTube gradually unusable. Unlike the outright 2018 Telegram ban that failed due to IP distribution, current measures throttle speeds and features incrementally. State Duma member Andrei Gurulev frames these inconveniences as part of the anti-NATO fight. Human rights groups warn Max enables mass surveillance.

Historical Precedents and Stakeholder Conflicts

Russia’s “sovereign internet” pursuit dates to 2019 legislation allowing global web disconnection, accelerating after the 2022 Ukraine invasion with bans on Facebook and Instagram. Telegram, founded by Pavel Durov, resisted the 2018 block but now battles ongoing mandates. Durov accuses Russia of using Max for censorship, drawing parallels to Iran’s unsuccessful ban. Internal Kremlin tensions emerge: security agencies push blocks, but officials like Sergey Kiriyenko prefer access to avoid public backlash, as state media and politicians depend on Telegram channels. Lawmakers Mikhail Delyagin and Alexander Yushchenko speculate on election-timed full bans.

Impacts on Russians and Broader Control Agenda

Short-term effects include disrupted family communications, rising VPN use, and forced shifts to Max despite resistance. Long-term, experts like Mikhail Klimarev predict full Telegram unusability by early 2026, securing Kremlin narrative control before September elections. Opposition, media, and everyday Russians face isolation from independent information. Economically, fines strain Telegram; politically, it bolsters state power while pressuring foreign tech giants. This pattern—throttling WhatsApp, FaceTime, and YouTube—advances digital isolation, echoing global authoritarian plays but risking official workflow disruptions.

Russia Limits Access to Social Media Platform Telegram as It Pushes State-Run ‘Super-App’ Called Max – UPDATE: WhatsApp and YouTube Fully Blocked by Moscow https://t.co/kANpzyXuvE

— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) February 11, 2026

Expert Warnings and Uncertainties

Mikhail Klimarev from the Internet Protection Society foresees a gradual block like YouTube’s. A source near Putin reveals security tests inspired by Iran. Kremlin allies justify measures as essential for citizen protection amid war, while critics decry censorship. No full WhatsApp or YouTube blocks are confirmed, only ongoing throttling; Roskomnadzor initially denied January slowdowns before acknowledging them. VPN adoption rises, but effectiveness remains unproven. Data as of February 10 shows no post-event Telegram response beyond Durov.