Authorities in nearly a dozen Russian regions have used various excuses to prevent demonstrations against internet censorship and the blocking of the popular messaging app Telegram. Excuses have included tree inspections, snow removal problems, COVID-19 restrictions, and claims that the reason for the protest did not exist.
In most cases, they succeeded. Mindful of a crackdown on dissent since the invasion of Ukraine, activists decided not to risk holding unauthorised rallies. Some went to court to challenge government refusals to authorise pickets, while others scaled them back to smaller indoor gatherings.
But disapproval persists across the political spectrum over moves against Russia's second-most popular messaging app. Alexander Sustov, a legislator in Primorye region, said: “Clearly the situation has changed, the laws have become stricter, but the protest hasn’t gone anywhere. Discontent remains. And any ban only fuels that discontent.”
Restricting Telegram is Russia's latest move to put the internet under government control. Thousands of websites and platforms are blocked, as are multiple virtual private networks. Widespread cellphone internet shutdowns leave only a handful of government-approved websites available.
Military bloggers criticise the moves against Telegram, arguing it is an indispensable communications tool for Russian troops in Ukraine and for activists running crowdfunding campaigns to help Moscow's forces. Unconfirmed media reports predict a complete blocking of the app, which in December 2025 had 93.6 million monthly users in Russia.
Widespread dismay has prompted various political forces to act. Members of the pro-war group Other Russia have staged protests, and regional branches of the Communist Party have tried to organise rallies. However, authorities have refused to allow most demonstrations or blocked them at the last minute.
