Telegram's CEO Flips Russia the Bird After It Charges Him With Terrorism

Michael Kan· Jul 29, 2026 · 4:44 PM UTC ·3 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 1 view

TL;DR · WeSearch summary

In other instances, Ukrainian agents on Telegram allegedly posed as Russian government officers to pressure certain Telegram users into committing acts of sabotage. Now the government has decided to go after Durov for allegedly refusing to crack down on Ukrainian activity on the messaging app. In response to the terrorism charge, Telegram tweeted an image of Durov flipping his middle finger.

Key facts

▪In other instances, Ukrainian agents on Telegram allegedly posed as Russian government officers to pressure certain Telegram users into committing acts of sabotage.
▪Now the government has decided to go after Durov for allegedly refusing to crack down on Ukrainian activity on the messaging app.
▪In response to the terrorism charge, Telegram tweeted an image of Durov flipping his middle finger.

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Original publisher	PCMag
Canonical URL	https://www.pcmag.com/news/telegrams-ceo-flips-russia-the-bird-after-it-charges-him-with-terrorism
Publication time	Wed, 29 Jul 26 16:44:37 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-07-29T17:16:08.799Z
Last seen	2026-07-29T17:16:08.799Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

Telegram CEO Pavel Durov is now on Russia's wanted list over Ukraine allegedly using the popular messaging app to entice Russian citizens into committing acts of sabotage and terrorism.On Wednesday, Russia’s Federal Security Service announced that Durov had been charged with aiding terrorist activity and placed him on the country’s "international wanted list,” amid the country’s ongoing war with Ukraine.Russia’s security agency says it uncovered numerous instances of Ukrainian intelligence using a Telegram chatbot to recruit young Russians for attacks, including using firearms and arson. In other instances, Ukrainian agents on Telegram allegedly posed as Russian government officers to pressure certain Telegram users into committing acts of sabotage.

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