Russia Introduces New Restrictions Against Telegram

The work of the Telegram messenger in Russia is being slowed down. This was stated on Wednesday, 21 January, by TASS, citing Senator Artem Sheikin, in response to a question about video loading issues in the messenger.

«Telegram does not comply with the requirements aimed at preventing and suppressing crimes on the territory of the Russian Federation. In connection with this, since August 2025, restrictive measures have been gradually introduced against this messenger: audio and video calls do not go through, and the transfer of media files is partially slowed down,» TASS quoted the senator.

Senator Sheikin also advised Russians to use national messengers.

Roskomnadzor, the federal agency for supervision of communications, told MSK1.RU that the information provided by the senator was «exhaustive,» and also noted that the agency had repeatedly given similar comments on its part.

In a phone call requesting a comment on the statement about partial blocking of the messenger, Senator Sheikin«s assistant asked to write to him on Telegram, which is not yet completely blocked. At the time of publication, MSK1.RU had not received a response.

On 16 January, Roskomnadzor denied reports about new restrictions on Telegram.

«Currently, no new restrictive measures are being applied to Telegram,» the agency reported.