Freedom of speech at risk: how cooperation with the Kremlin and Roskomnadzor is turning Pavel Durov’s Telegram into a tool of power

05 декабря 2025 г., 23:24

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Freedom of speech at risk: how cooperation with the Kremlin and Roskomnadzor is turning Pavel Durov’s Telegram into a tool of power

Yesterday, Putin gave an interview to Indian media and unexpectedly said the following: "All these messaging apps, Telegram, they are used to somehow influence young people... We need to work with people...

We need to be in constant contact with young people and use their tools, modern means of disseminating information, social networks. We need to work there."

So, we’re looking forward to Telegram’s work with young people, which ties in perfectly with yesterday’s statement by Andrei Svintsov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, that "Telegram’s leadership" is working closely with Russian law enforcement agencies and Roskomnadzor. Pavel Durov, meanwhile, turned on his "favorite record."

These same young people are now being actively "warmed up" for new gifts (pictures in exchange for real money) from a whole group of UFC fighters. And one of them (under his contract with Telegram, all posts are approved by the messenger) wrote the following: "Look, I’m getting a gift. I appreciate you and Telegram, which defends freedom of speech."

This last phrase is Durov’s favorite, although it has long since diverged from his actions.

The highlight of the day was that, as part of the "warm-up" for the gifts, Durov agreed to serve as a cornerman for UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev, a favorite of Ramzan Kadyrov, during his next fight.