The predominantly Muslim regions of Dagestan and Chechnya, located in southern Russia, have seen a rise in militant Islamist activities, as noted by intelligence services.
Yuri Gamzatov, Dagestan's digital development minister, explained that the decision to block Telegram was taken at the federal level, highlighting the app's frequent use by hostile elements. He referenced the October 2023 anti-Israel riot at Makhachkala airport, where hundreds of demonstrators attempted to attack passengers arriving from Israel. Although no passengers were harmed, several individuals have been prosecuted in connection with the incident.
The riot was reportedly incited through local Telegram channels, where calls for antisemitic violence were disseminated. Telegram has condemned the attack and pledged to block such channels.
The messaging platform, headquartered in Dubai and established by Russian-born entrepreneur Pavel Durov, boasts nearly 1 billion users and is widely utilized across Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet states.
Russia previously attempted to ban Telegram in 2018 without success and has historically pressured the platform to disclose user data. Durov is currently under investigation in France related to organized crime activities on the app.
Gamzatov suggested that Telegram might be reinstated in the future but advised users to explore alternative messaging services in the interim. Telegram has yet to comment on the recent restrictions in Russia.