Telegram's CEO urges Russians to 'stockpile' VPNs as platform censorship measures intensify.

Following the crackdown on the messaging service Telegram in Russia, Telegram has implemented an update to counter the censorship. In conjunction with this, Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has urged users to secure multiple VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).

Some other advice: stock up on several VPNs/proxies in advance, help your friends and family do the same, and avoid using Russian apps while connected to a VPN (they are reporting your VPNs to authorities for blocking).

— Pavel Durov (@durov)

April 11, 2026

Telegram is the most popular messaging service in Russia, but it has been subject to restrictions from Russian authorities over the past few months, and there have been numerous reports of it becoming inaccessible through normal means.

Russian authorities restrict access to messaging app Telegram, possibly to force users to switch to the state-run app MAX - GIGAZINE

With a complete shutdown expected in April 2026, Telegram has released an update to defy the restrictions and urged Russian citizens to update the app immediately.

While noting that Telegram usage has stabilized over the past week, CEO Durov stated that VPNs are still effective and urged people to secure multiple VPNs in advance and ask their friends and family to do the same.

During the restrictions on Telegram, Russian citizens used VPNs to access the service, and at one point, it was reported that more than 50 million people were accessing Telegram via VPN every day.

The Russian government has decided to regulate VPNs and is reportedly considering measures to fine individual VPN users. A government official told the media that 'the communications regulator Roskomnador already has the ability to selectively restrict VPNs,' suggesting that VPNs may soon be disabled.

Some VPNs with censorship resistance, such as Amnezia VPN, Windscribe, and NymVPN, claim that 'their products still work in Russia,' but the situation remains unclear. Therefore, CEO Durov's advice to 'secure multiple VPNs' makes sense.

CEO Durov also urged people not to use Russian apps while connected to a VPN, as these apps may detect and block VPN connections.

The Russian government claims these restrictions are 'necessary for crime prevention and protection of personal data,' but CEO Durov and human rights groups point out that they are 'nothing more than political maneuvers' and speculate that they are intended to force citizens to switch to the state-controlled messaging service 'MAX.'