Russia Blocks Telegram in Dagestan and Chechnya Over Security Concerns

Russian authorities have blocked access to the Telegram messaging app in two southern regions, Dagestan and Chechnya, citing national security concerns. According to Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan's digital development minister, the decision to restrict Telegram was made at the federal level due to its use by hostile entities.

The move follows growing fears of militant Islamist activity in these predominantly Muslim regions. Russian intelligence agencies have reported an increase in extremist threats, raising concerns over the role of social media platforms in spreading harmful content. Gamzatov pointed to the October 2023 anti-Israel riot at Makhachkala Airport as an example of how Telegram has been used to incite violence. During the incident, hundreds of protesters stormed the airport, attempting to attack passengers arriving from Israel. Although no passengers were harmed, the event led to legal action against several individuals. Reports indicate that the mob was mobilized through Telegram channels that shared calls for violence against Jews. Telegram condemned the incident at the time and pledged to block such channels.

Telegram, founded by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov and now based in Dubai, has nearly 1 billion users worldwide. The app remains a dominant communication platform in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet nations. Moscow has previously attempted to block Telegram in 2018 but was unsuccessful. The Russian government has also pressured the company to provide user data, a request that has been resisted. Meanwhile, French authorities have placed Durov under formal investigation in connection with an organized crime probe linked to the platform.

Despite the recent restrictions in Dagestan and Chechnya, Gamzatov suggested that Telegram could be reinstated in the future. However, he encouraged users in these regions to transition to alternative messaging services in the meantime.

Telegram has not yet commented on the decision. The block underscores ongoing tensions between Russian authorities and digital platforms, as the government continues efforts to regulate online communication amid security concerns.