Roskomnadzor Throttles Telegram Amid Strategic Plans to Fully Block WhatsApp by Late 2026

Since the beginning of 2026, the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, commonly known as Roskomnadzor or RKN, has implemented partial performance restrictions on the Telegram messaging application. These regulatory measures have manifested as a significant slowdown in the platform's performance, specifically impacting the loading speeds of video files. Industry sources within the telecommunications market have confirmed that these actions were initiated by RKN in response to a wave of user complaints documented since early January 2026 in major metropolitan areas, including Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

On January 16, 2026, Andrey Svintsov, the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technology, and Communications, characterized these technical disruptions as a "soft hint" directed at Telegram's leadership. The objective is to prompt more efficient cooperation with Russian authorities regarding the removal of anonymous channels. Svintsov emphasized that a total ban on Telegram is not currently anticipated, as the messenger continues to demonstrate effective collaboration with Russian officials and various governments worldwide. This follows a previous regulatory intervention in August 2025, when Roskomnadzor restricted voice calling features on both Telegram and WhatsApp to mitigate cybercrime and extortion risks.

In contrast, the situation regarding WhatsApp—owned by Meta, which is designated as an extremist organization in the Russian Federation—is moving toward a permanent resolution. According to statements made by Andrey Svintsov in mid-January 2026, it is expected that Roskomnadzor will deploy a comprehensive set of measures to achieve the final blocking of WhatsApp by the end of 2026. The deputy linked these aggressive measures to the platform's affiliation with Meta, noting their strategic importance ahead of the State Duma elections scheduled for September 2026.

Technical data from the end of 2025 highlights the deteriorating state of Meta's services in the region. Mikhail Klimarev, director of the Internet Protection Society, reported that over 90% of connection attempts to WhatsApp servers from Russia were failing by late 2025, indicating a functional cessation of stable service. While WhatsApp faces total exclusion, the restrictions on Telegram at the start of 2026 remain focused on performance degradation. One industry source noted that media download speeds dropped by approximately 70% to 80% starting on December 22. Svintsov clarified that this throttling is tied to the messenger's slow response to demands for blocking anonymous channels that distribute misinformation, particularly regarding the Special Military Operation and financial markets.

The current regulatory policy demonstrates a clearly differentiated approach toward international messaging platforms. Telegram is being pressured through quality-of-service reductions to encourage compliance, whereas WhatsApp is on a path toward total termination due to its parent company's extremist designation. Sergey Boyarsky, the head of the relevant State Duma committee, previously remarked that a full block of Telegram would only be considered if channel authors transitioned to the national messenger project "Max," which officials now acknowledge remained unfulfilled. Although WhatsApp representatives stated their intention to fight for Russian users in late December 2025, no official commitments to adhere to Russian law have been forthcoming.

As the 2026 deadline for WhatsApp's removal approaches, the digital landscape in Russia continues to evolve under strict regulatory oversight. The ongoing throttling of Telegram serves as a persistent reminder of the government's expectations for platform accountability and rapid content moderation. With the State Duma elections on the horizon for September 2026, the enforcement of these digital boundaries remains a high priority for federal regulators and legislative bodies alike.