“This is a test, pussy a little later”: the final blocking of Telegram may be tied to the result of the State Duma elections

Restrictions in the operation of the messenger should “motivate” to install Max

A complete blocking of Telegram in Russia is not yet planned, but it cannot be ruled out before the end of this year, according to Vverstka sources close to the presidential administration (AP).

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“This is a test. Pussy a little later,” said an interlocutor close to the Kremlin, in response to a question about the reason for the decision to strengthen restrictions on Telegram.

According to him, a complete blockade is possible in September, when the State Duma elections take place. The authorities fear a negative reaction to “70% of United Russia,” the source notes. In October 2025, Vedomosti wrote that the AP discussed that the regions would be tasked with achieving an optimal result for United Russia of at least 55% of the votes cast for it on the lists with a turnout of 55%. The party should receive up to 70% in single-member constituencies (they are counting on 325 seats out of 450).

Another interlocutor close to the AP’s internal political bloc says that the debate about the harm or necessity of blocking Telegram has been going on for quite some time.

“At the end of last year, it was decided that a complete blocking before the elections was not necessary, because the messenger is politicized and convenient both for assessing sentiment and for campaigning,” the source explained.

The fate of Telegram depends, among other things, on the results of peace negotiations

He emphasized that there are two factors influencing the blocking: it is not only the mood around the elections, but also the attitude towards the course of the war in Ukraine.

“Now we proceed from whether the conflict will be completed or not, and under what conditions. Telegram should not be a destabilizing platform. The blocking of a popular platform for adults should be gradual. It should now become clear that it is time to look for alternatives. “Everyone knows it,” he sneers, alluding to the state messenger Max .

Another source close to the presidential administration assures that for now the authorities will “fuck the brains” of the creator of Telegram, Pavel Durov, but there is still no decision on the final blocking of the messenger.

Authorities may first restrict advertising on Telegram

An interlocutor of “Vestka” in a large pro-government media claims that a complete blocking of Telegram is possible before the end of the year. For now, according to him, Telegram will begin to prohibit advertising - for example, it can only be allowed for channels that are registered in the register of bloggers .

The fact that Roskomnadzor has officially begun to slow down the work of Telegram was reported by RBC on February 10, citing a source in the information technology industry and two sources in relevant departments. According to two sources, Roskomnadzor plans to begin taking measures to partially restrict the service on Tuesday, February 10. At the same time, Telegram has been having problems loading media files for several days now. Another RBC source added that measures to slow down Telegram are already being taken.

The press service of Roskomnadzor stated that the agency “will continue to introduce restrictions regarding Telegram.” “Russian legislation is still not being implemented, personal data is not protected, there are no real measures to combat fraud and the use of the messenger for criminal and terrorist purposes. In this regard, by decision of the authorized bodies, Roskomnadzor will continue to introduce consistent restrictions,” the department said in a statement.

Illustration: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto

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