MOSCOW: Authorities in Dagestan and Chechnya have restricted access to the Telegram messaging app due to concerns that it could be exploited by adversaries, according to a regional digital development minister cited by the TASS state news agency.
Both regions, located in southern Russia, have seen a rise in militant Islamist activity, as reported by intelligence services.
“Telegram is frequently used by enemies, as demonstrated during the riots at Makhachkala airport,” said Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan’s digital development minister, noting that the decision to block the app was made at the federal level.
Gamzatov referred to an anti-Israel riot in October 2023, when protesters stormed Makhachkala airport, attempting to attack passengers arriving from Israel. No passengers were harmed, and authorities have since prosecuted several individuals involved.
Reports of the flight’s arrival had circulated through local Telegram channels, where users incited antisemitic violence. Telegram condemned the attack and pledged to block such channels.
The Dubai-based app, founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, has nearly 1 billion users and remains widely used in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states. Telegram has not yet responded to requests for comment on the ban.
