Finance
Russian authorities weigh block on Telegram from early April, RBC reports
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 26, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 26, 2026
Quick Summary
RBC reports Russia may block Telegram in early April, citing extremist content. Telegram says the move is meant to push users to the state-run MAX app and notes troops rely on it for communications.
Russia considers early-April Telegram ban, according to RBC report
Russian Plan to Restrict Telegram Access
MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russian authorities have decided on a time frame for blocking the Telegram messaging app and this may happen in early April, the RBC news outlet reported on Thursday.
Authorities Cite Extremist Content
Telegram is a hugely popular tool in Russia for both public and private communications, but the authorities accuse it of allowing itself to be used as a platform for illegal and extremist content.
Telegram Denial and Push for MAX
Telegram rejects this, saying Russia is trying to throttle it in order to force people to switch to a new state-run app called MAX.
Reliance by Troops and Politicians
Frontline Access in Ukraine
RBC said that by April, Telegram would only be available on the front lines of the war in Ukraine. Military sources, war correspondents and politicians have said Russian troops rely heavily on it, not only for communicating with their families back home but also for operational purposes.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Writing by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Alison Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •RBC reports Russian authorities may block Telegram in early April.
- •Officials accuse Telegram of enabling illegal and extremist content.
- •Telegram rejects the charges, alleging a push toward state-run MAX.
- •RBC says access may remain only on Ukraine front lines by April.
- •Troops, war correspondents and politicians heavily rely on Telegram.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russian authorities weigh block on Telegram from early April, RBC reports
1What is the main topic?
RBC reports that Russian authorities are preparing to block Telegram in early April, citing extremist and illegal content. Telegram denies the claims and says the move aims to migrate users to the state-run MAX app.
2Why is Telegram being targeted?
Authorities accuse Telegram of hosting illegal and extremist content. Telegram disputes this, arguing the crackdown is political and meant to boost adoption of the government-backed MAX messenger.
3Will Telegram be available anywhere if blocked?
According to RBC, access may remain on Ukraine front lines due to the military’s reliance on the app for communications, though nationwide restrictions could still be implemented elsewhere.
