Russian authorities appear to be restricting access to the messaging platform Telegram in territories under their control, despite previous statements suggesting an exemption for the so-called ‘SVO zone.’ Reports from residents in occupied areas indicate significant disruptions in service.
In the Luhansk region, users are experiencing severe connectivity issues. A resident from the Shchastynskyi district noted that even with a VPN, reaching areas controlled by Ukraine is nearly impossible. Although users can connect, conversations are often delayed by up to 20 seconds, with many calls resulting in silence.
Another resident from Luhansk reported that calls on Telegram fail entirely without a VPN. However, if a functioning VPN can be found—one that has not yet been blocked by Russian authorities—users can communicate effectively.
Complaints about Telegram’s performance are also circulating in online chats among residents of both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. While VPN usage partially alleviates the issue, it is not universally effective. Users have expressed frustrations, stating, ‘Telegram has been consistently slow in recent days,’ and ‘messages are delayed, but they do arrive.’ Some have even suggested collectively appealing to President Putin to prevent the platform’s blockage.
Since March 16, Russian media and bloggers have reported that the blocking of Telegram in Russia has effectively begun. Unlike in the occupied territories, the service often fails to work even with VPNs. According to the publication Kommersant, the rate of unsuccessful Telegram requests in Russia has reached 80-90%, indicating that the messaging service is largely non-functional in the country.
Official restrictions on Telegram in Russia are anticipated to take effect on April 1, 2026. Meanwhile, the head of the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadayev, stated that the ‘SVO zone’ would not be affected, as Telegram is deemed necessary for Russian military operations, with plans to transition military personnel to Russian services gradually.
Recently, the investigative group InformNapalm reported that the Russian General Staff has prohibited military personnel from using Telegram. They claim to have intercepted internal documents from the Russian army confirming this directive.
Reports indicate that Russian authorities are restricting Telegram access in occupied territories, leading to significant service disruptions. Complaints from users highlight difficulties in communication, particularly without VPNs, as official restrictions on the platform loom in Russia.