- February 10, 2026
- 8:05 pm
- World News
The Russian authorities are once again increasing pressure on Telegram. On the morning of February 10, new access restrictions to the service became known, and users across the country are experiencing disruptions. The story unfolds against the backdrop of a direct comment from the platform’s founder β and he reminded of a precedent that already existed.
According to Pavel Durov, eight years ago a similar scenario was attempted in Iran. At that time, the messenger was banned, promoting a state alternative. The result was opposite to expectations: the audience continued to use the service through bypassing blocks.
Today similar arguments are already being heard from Moscow.
What is happening now
On February 10, sources from RBC reported on the “partial restriction” of Telegram’s operation. According to their data, Roskomnadzor has begun technically slowing down the service. Users note problems with loading media, sending messages, and connection stability.
It cannot be said that this is a surprise. In recent months, such measures have been introduced several times, sometimes targeted by regions, sometimes more broadly.
The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy Alexander Yushchenko claims that deputies did not discuss the topic of slowing down. However, he admits: blocking is possible if the regulator sees violations of the law.
The formula is familiar. The decision is up to the agency.
Protocols against the platform have already been registered in courts: the claims concern undeleted content and the status of the social network owner.
Durov’s position and the parallel with Tehran
Durov’s comment was sharp and undiplomatic.
According to him, Russia is restricting access, trying to push people to switch to applications that are easier to control. He emphasizes: a similar strategy was used by the Iranian authorities. Telegram was then formally banned, but most citizens continued to use it.
The logic is simple β habit, ecosystem of channels, trust in the level of privacy.
Restrictions did not solve the problem. They only complicated access.
And it is this example that the entrepreneur cites as a warning.
How politics and the telecom market are reacting
Some Russian politicians speak about the situation differently. State Duma deputy Andrey Gurulyov stated that slowing down is an element of a broader struggle, and the population can endure temporary inconveniences.
Formally, the authorities avoid the word “blocking.”
In the regulator’s comments, quoted by Kommersant, there is talk of non-compliance with legislation and insufficient fight against fraud. What specific technical measures are being applied and when they started is not clearly explained.
And here begins the space of uncertainty.
According to monitoring services, users noticed an increase in complaints as early as February 9. Some cannot open photos and videos. Others cannot send messages.
A source from Forbes in the telecom market confirms a decrease in traffic. Initially, problems were observed outside the capitals, then they affected Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The situation develops in waves. And each time it is not entirely clear whether this is a temporary measure.
Why this story is important for Israel
In the Israeli agenda, Telegram has long become a tool not only for communication but also for news, work, community coordination, and helping new immigrants. Russian-speaking channels are read by hundreds of thousands of people.
Therefore, the issue of digital resilience is no longer an internal story of another country but a global topic.
When access to major platforms becomes a lever of pressure, it changes the architecture of communications everywhere. Including in the Middle East.
That is why the editorial team of NAnews β Israel News | Nikk.Agency closely monitors the development of events: technological solutions adopted in one jurisdiction very quickly begin to affect users worldwide.
Today it is Moscow. Tomorrow similar tools may be attempted to be applied anywhere.
Fact.
The end of Telegram in Russia or another round
This is already the fourth episode of restrictions in the last six months. In the summer, calls were disconnected. In the fall, there were large-scale disruptions. In January, officials first denied the slowdown, then effectively acknowledged it.
Now a new phase.
Whether it differs from the previous ones is still unknown. Whether the measures will extend to other services is also unknown.
Experience shows: the initial surge of complaints often gives way to user adaptation. VPNs, proxies, mirrors, alternative traffic routes.
But each new turn makes network access more difficult.
Durov claims that restrictions on freedom never become the right solution. Russian officials respond with references to security and law.
Between these positions are millions of people who just need to send a message, receive a file, read the news.
And while the debate continues, the messenger works. Albeit not everywhere equally stable.
The end of this story is once again postponed.
