Ukraine has prohibited the use of Telegram on state-issued devices including those used by government officials, military personnel and employees in the defense sector and critical infrastructure.
The National Security and Defence Council stressed the need to minimize threats related to cyber-attacks, phishing, geolocation tracking and missile strike correction, which it claims are linked to Russia’s use of the platform.
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Telegram is used in both Ukraine and Russia as a critical communication tool for governments and militaries. Despite its reputation for secure end-to-end encryption, Ukraine’s intelligence officials raised concerns that Russia might have the ability to access sensitive information shared on the platform.
Pavel Durov has a complex relationship with both Ukraine and Russia. His platform has become a battleground for information and misinformation during the conflict.
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military intelligence chief presented evidence suggesting that Russia’s special services could access personal correspondence on Telegram including deleted messages.
According to Budanov, the use of Telegram for official communication poses national security risks, as Russian forces may exploit the app to monitor Ukrainian military and government activities.
Budanov said that this issue is not about restricting freedom of speech but rather protecting Ukraine’s national security interests amid an active war.
Russian hackers are allegedly using the platform to launch cyber-attacks against Ukrainian officials and infrastructure. Telegram is seen as a channel through which phishing attempts and malware can be distributed to compromise devices used by government and military personnel.
The app could allow Russian forces to track the locations of Ukrainian officials and military units. By accessing user data and geolocation information, Russian forces could use the platform to adjust and coordinate missile strikes against Ukraine’s military targets.
Officials whose work duties require the use of Telegram such as those responsible for public communication and media updates and are allowed to continue using the app on state-issued devices.
The ban does not apply to personal devices, meaning government and military personnel can still use the app for private communication provided it is not done on official equipment.
Government officials and military representatives can maintain and update their official Telegram channels.
Following Ukraine’s announcement, Telegram responded to the concerns by the Rnbo. The company asserted that it has never provided any messaging data to any country including Russia.
A Telegram spokesperson claimed that the platform’s security features ensure that deleted messages are permanently erased and cannot be recovered.
The app also stated that instances of leaked messages were likely the result of compromised devices, either through malware infections or physical confiscation, rather than any vulnerabilities in the platform itself.
A survey conducted by USAID-Internews in 2023 revealed that 72% of Ukrainians use Telegram as their primary source of news.
The app’s ease of use, anonymity features and ability to host large public channels have made it a go-to platform for Ukrainians during the war with Russia.
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Pavel Durov has been a controversial figure due to his Russian origins and the platform’s role in various geopolitical conflicts. Durov left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with Russian government demands to shut down opposition groups on Telegram.
Since then, he has positioned himself as a defender of free speech. Despite his departure from Russia, Durov’s association with the country has concerns in Ukraine particularly in the context of the war.
In August 2024, Durov was placed under formal investigation in France, where he now holds citizenship, for allegedly facilitating illegal content on Telegram.
The announcement coincided with military actions in Ukraine including a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih,. The attack took place overnight, killed a 12-year-old boy and two elderly women, aged 75 and 79.
The Kharkiv region has also been a primary target of Russian strikes with three separate attacks injuring 15 people including three children. One of the strikes caused by a guided bomb, hit an area outside a hospital.
Ukraine continues to receive international support. The European Union (EU) announced plans to lend Ukraine €35 billion, with a focus on helping Ukraine cope with its energy grid’s challenges as the country heads into its third winter of war.
The aid will also be used to bolster Ukraine’s air defense systems and support domestic weapons production. The United States is also preparing a $375 million military aid package for Ukraine, which includes additional ammunition for HIMARS rocket systems, artillery shells, patrol boats and spare parts.
Norway has stepped up its civilian aid to Ukraine, announcing a 5 billion kroner increase in support. The Scandinavian nation has extended its aid package through to 2030 bringing the total to 135 billion kroner.
NATO concluded a major anti-drone exercise with Ukraine participating for the first time. The drills aimed to test new systems for detecting and countering drones.
The exercise involved more than 20 countries and 50 companies, all working to develop solutions to combat the growing use of unmanned systems in warfare.
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