‘Deliberate Fabrication’: Telegram Denies Foreign Spies Can See Messages Russian Soldiers Send - The Moscow Times
Moscow Times
February 19, 2026
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Telegram has denied claims by Russia’s Digital Development Minister Maksut Shadayev that foreign intelligence services can access messages sent by Russian soldiers in Ukraine through the messaging app. The company emphasized that its encryption remains secure and described the allegations as a "deliberate fabrication." This comes amid increased government restrictions on Telegram, including demands to remove banned content and accusations of failing to protect user data. Shadayev pointed to evidence suggesting foreign spies used covert access to Telegram messages in combat operations but did not identify specific countries involved.
The Russian government’s actions against Telegram have sparked public backlash, with critics arguing that the restrictions could disrupt command systems for Russian troops in Ukraine. Roskomnadzor, Russia’s state media regulator, accused Telegram of ignoring 150,000 requests to remove prohibited material, such as child pornography. The company rejected these claims and criticized the new measures as an attempt to force users onto a government-controlled platform like Max, which is designed for surveillance and censorship.
In response to concerns, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman clarified that the Kremlin’s official Telegram channel remains
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Originally published on Moscow Times on 2/19/2026