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Kremlin Cracks Down on Telegram, Shuts Mobile Internet, No Compensation

5/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Kremlin crackdown on Telegram, VPNs and mobile internet has disrupted communications for firms such as Natalia Kukovinets’s Wag’n Tails in Moscow.
Interfax said 2.9 million small-to-medium firms and 14.1 million self-employed use messaging apps for business.
The Kremlin said it will not compensate businesses for losses from the mobile-internet shutdown in Moscow.
Authorities opened a criminal case against Telegram founder Pavel Durov and promote MAX, used by only 2-3% of clients.

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Story summary

The Kremlin crackdown on Telegram, VPNs and mobile internet has disrupted communications for firms such as Natalia Kukovinets’s Wag’n Tails in Moscow.
Interfax said 2.9 million small-to-medium firms and 14.1 million self-employed use messaging apps for business.
The Kremlin said it will not compensate businesses for losses from the mobile-internet shutdown in Moscow.
Authorities opened a criminal case against Telegram founder Pavel Durov and promote MAX, used by only 2-3% of clients.