Russia's FSB accuses Telegram of aiding Ukraine intelligence, endangering troops

2026-02-21 - 11:52

Russia's Federal Security Service on Saturday accused the Telegram messaging platform of providing information to Ukraine's military and intelligence, alleging that Ukrainian forces accessed Russian military communications and used them against Moscow's troops. The FSB claimed in a statement it has "reliable data indicating that the armed forces and special services of Ukraine are capable of quickly obtaining information posted on the Telegram messenger and using it for military purposes." Troop Safety Concerns The FSB further alleged that Telegram use by Russian servicemen in combat zones over the past three months repeatedly "resulted in creating life-threatening situations for soldiers." The statement said analysis of the messenger's work revealed numerous instances where operational security was compromised, endangering Russian personnel. Platform Restrictions Russian authorities began slowing Telegram in December and briefly limited access on Russian territory in early February, lifting restrictions following complaints from military personnel. Since 2019, Russia has banned multiple social media platforms on its territory, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and WhatsApp, citing national security concerns. Telegram has not yet responded to the FSB's allegations.