By ABDULLAH 
Russia has announced partial restrictions on voice and video calls via popular messaging apps WhatsApp and Telegram, marking another step in Moscow’s push to tighten control over online communications amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The move, announced by state communications regulator Roskomnadzor, affects WhatsApp’s estimated 96 million monthly users in Russia and Telegram’s more than 89 million users, according to monitoring service Mediascope. While authorities say the ban applies only to voice calls, many users have reported disruptions to video calls as well.
Roskomnadzor justified the restrictions as a measure to fight scams, extortion, and alleged recruitment into sabotage or terrorism.
“Foreign messengers Telegram and WhatsApp have become the main voice services used to deceive and extort money, and to involve Russian citizens in sabotage and terrorist activities,” the regulator said in a statement.
Authorities claim both platforms have repeatedly ignored requests to provide user data to law enforcement. Access to calls, they said, would be restored only if the companies comply with Russian legislation.
The Kremlin has also ordered government officials, lawmakers, and regional governors to migrate their official Telegram channels to a domestic messaging app called Max. The platform, set to open to the public soon, will be curated by the state-backed nonprofit Dialog.
While officials can still maintain accounts on other platforms, Max has been made mandatory for government work chats and official announcements. Some State Duma press officers have already stopped posting comments on Telegram, moving exclusively to Max.
WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms, condemned the restrictions, accusing Moscow of trying to block secure communication for millions of Russians.
“WhatsApp defies government attempts to violate people’s right to secure communication, which is why Russia is trying to block it from over 100 million Russian people,” a company spokesperson said.
Telegram, founded by Russian tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov, said it actively combats misuse of its platform by removing “millions of pieces of harmful content every day,” including posts promoting violence or fraud.
Since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has expanded control over its domestic internet, introducing strict laws, fines for VPN use, and punishments for online searches deemed illegal. Security services have repeatedly alleged that Ukraine uses Telegram for recruiting and coordinating sabotage inside Russia.
Critics say the migration to Max and curbs on foreign apps are designed to increase government surveillance, while officials frame the measures as necessary for national security and public safety.