Russia ​has fined the Telegram ‌messaging app 35 ​million ⁠roubles ($4,32,366) for failing to remove banned ‌content, Russia’s Interfax news ‌agency ‌reported on ⁠Monday (March 16, 2026).

Authorities have ⁠repeatedly accused Telegram, one of the most ​popular ‌messaging apps in Russia, of allowing itself ‌to be used ​as a platform for ⁠illegal and extremist content.

Telegram rejects ‌the charge and has accused Russia of trying to throttle ‌its services in ​order to force people ⁠to switch to ⁠a state-run app called ‌MAX.