MOSCOW: Foreign intelligence services are able to see messages sent by Russian soldiers using the Telegram messaging app, Russia’s minister for digital development Maksud Shadayev said on Wednesday, the Interfax news agency reported.
Telegram, one of the most popular messenger services in Russia, is widely used by Russian forces fighting in Ukraine, but is under pressure from the authorities who have imposed restrictions on it over what they say is its failure to delete extremist content.
“There are numerous indications that foreign intelligence agencies have access to the messenger’s correspondence and are using this data against the Russian military,” Shadayev was cited as saying.
Roskomnadzor, Russia’s communications regulator, has said it is slowing down Telegram’s service amid a wider crackdown on foreign-owned messengers who it says have failed to comply with Russian law.
The Kremlin confirmed last week that US messenger app WhatsApp, owned by Meta Platforms META.O, has been
completely blocked
for failing to comply with local law, suggesting Russians turn to a state-backed “national messenger” — MAX — instead.
Critics say MAX is a surveillance tool. Russian authorities deny this.
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Foreign spies can see Telegram messages sent by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, Ifax cites minister
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Foreign spies can see Telegram messages sent by Russian soldiers in Ukraine, Ifax cites minister
Ukraine attacks hit 13 Russian oil facilities over January and February, defense ministry says
- The military has carried out more than 40 strikes in Russia on the oil and gas sector
KYIV: Ukrainian military attacks struck 13 Russian oil refineries, oil depots and other oil and gas sector facilities in January and February, Ukraine’s defense ministry said on Tuesday.
The ministry added in a statement on Telegram that the military has carried out more than 40 strikes in Russia on the oil and gas sector, military industrial facilities and command centers, among other targets.
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