Russian authorities claim Western intelligence has access to Telegram messages
Russian Minister of Digital Development Maksut Shadaev officially stated that foreign intelligence services have access to private Telegram messages.
During a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, the official emphasized that the once-anonymous service has become a tool for intelligence gathering.
According to the minister, at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Telegram was considered by Russian forces as a secure communication channel. However, the situation has now changed drastically, and the use of the messenger by Russian military personnel poses direct threats to their security.
Shadaev did not provide any concrete facts or technical evidence to substantiate these “direct confirmations.” This raises doubts about the objectivity of the statement, which may be part of a campaign to push users toward Kremlin-controlled platforms.
