Arrest of Telegram founder could impact public perception of Ukraine conflict

The arrest Sunday in France of Pavel Durov, the controversial Russian-born founder of the social media and messaging app Telegram, could reduce the public’s ability to fully understand the war in Ukraine. French authorities have not yet released the reason Durov was arrested, and the Russian embassy said it was taking “immediate steps” to intervene on his behalf. Durov, sometimes called the Mark Zuckerberg of Russia, founded Telegram from exile in Dubai and the “encrypted” messaging app quickly became popular in Russia. Some important figures in the American tech world expressed alarm at Durov’s arrest. While Telegram is known for illegal activities, it also serves as a source for Western military analysts to better understand the war in Ukraine from a pro-Russian perspective. The platform’s significance was underscored by a campaign by the Russian government to co-opt independent Russian military bloggers. The implications of Durov’s arrest for Telegram and its sources remain unclear.