Roskomnadzor

Russians flock to South Korean app after Kremlin restricts Telegram access

South Korean messaging app KakaoTalk is surging in popularity among Russian users as Moscow continues restricting access to Telegram, independent Russian newspaper The Moscow Times reported on March 23.

23 March, 11:08 PM

Telegram messenger largely blocked in Russia, users report

Telegram messenger has become almost completely inaccessible in Russia, with both the mobile app and web version failing to work for most users, especially on home internet providers, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on March 16, citing experts and user complaints tracked by Downdetector.

16 March, 03:38 PM

Russia signals possible nationwide Telegram ban from 1 April

Russia’s media and communications regulator Roskomnadzor is reportedly set to fully block the messaging app Telegram starting on April 1, 2026, according to Russian Telegram channels on Feb. 17, including Baza, a channel known for its ties to law enforcement sources.

17 February, 04:32 PM

Durov likens Russia to Iran after Telegram throttling

Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram messaging app, said that recent throttling of the service in Russia appear aimed at forcing citizens to switch to a competing government app “created for surveillance and political censorship.”

10 February, 09:19 PM

Russia announces gradual ban on WhatsApp, citing security concerns

Russia’s communications regulator, Roskomnadzor, said on Nov. 28 it will introduce a series of restrictions on WhatsApp in the coming weeks, accusing Meta’s messaging service of violating Russian law.

28 November 2025, 11:38 PM

Russia’s Ulyanovsk Oblast blocks mobile internet indefinitely

Authorities in Russia’s Ulyanovsk Oblast have announced a ban on mobile internet access until the end of the country’s war against Ukraine, regional government representatives said at a press conference on Nov. 8.

11 November 2025, 05:49 PM

Roskomnadzor