Kremlin moves to use Telegram for propaganda — Pavel Durov distracts audience with UFC stars
In an unusual move, Vladimir Putin — who rarely mentions platforms or individuals directly — unexpectedly named Telegram during an interview with Indian media, saying that Russia must begin working with young people through the messaging apps they use.
His remarks came alongside statements from lawmakers that Telegram’s leadership is already cooperating with Russian authorities.
“All these messaging apps, Telegram, they are used to influence young people,” Putin said. “We need to be in constant contact with young people and use their tools — modern channels of information, social networks. We need to work there.”
Putin’s comments coincided with a statement from Andrei Svintsov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, who claimed that Telegram’s leadership is working closely with Russian law enforcement and Roskomnadzor. The pairing of the two remarks suggests that the Kremlin sees Telegram as a strategic space for youth influence and political communication.
While the Kremlin voices openness toward Telegram, Pavel Durov appears to be running a parallel public-relations line aimed at young audiences. A wave of UFC fighters has begun promoting “gifts” — collectible images exchanged for real money — directly through Telegram channels. According to insiders, all such posts are cleared with Telegram beforehand.
One fighter posted: “Look, I’m getting a gift. I appreciate you and Telegram, which defends freedom of speech.” The wording echoed Durov’s long-standing rhetoric about Telegram as a “freedom platform,” despite growing criticism that reality no longer aligns with the slogan.
The promotional campaign reached its peak when Durov agreed to act as a cornerman for UFC champion Khamzat Chimaev, a favorite of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, during his upcoming fight — a move widely interpreted as part of Telegram’s youth-targeted image strategy.
The moment marks a striking contrast: Putin openly prepares to use Telegram as a state communication channel, while Durov counters with celebrity partnerships and martial-arts fandom, both chasing influence over the same demographic.
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