Ukraine has taken a decisive step to protect its national security by banning the use of the Telegram messaging app on official devices used by government officials, military personnel, and critical workers.
The country’s National Security and Defence Council made this announcement after receiving evidence from Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency that Russian special services have the ability to spy on both messages and users through the platform.
While the restrictions apply only to official devices and not personal phones, according to Andriy Kovalenko, head of the security council’s centre on countering disinformation, the move underscores the growing concerns about Telegram’s security during the ongoing war with Russia.
Telegram, a popular messaging app widely used in both Ukraine and Russia, has served as a critical source of information since the Russian invasion in February 2022. However, Ukrainian security officials have repeatedly raised concerns about its potential use by Russian forces for espionage and disinformation.
Founded by Russian-born Pavel Durov, Telegram has faced its own controversies. Durov, who left Russia in 2014 after refusing to comply with demands to shut down opposition communities on his social media platform VKontakte, was recently arrested in France in connection with an investigation into crimes related to child pornography, drug trafficking, and fraudulent transactions on Telegram.
The National Security and Defence Council’s decision to ban Telegram on official devices is based on evidence presented by Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence agency. Budanov revealed that Russian special services can access Telegram messages, including deleted ones, as well as users’ personal data. He emphasized that the decision is not about freedom of speech but rather a matter of national security.
In response to the ban, Telegram issued a statement denying any involvement in data disclosure or message interception. The company asserted that it has never provided any messaging data to any country, including Russia, and that deleted messages are permanently deleted and technically impossible to recover. Telegram attributed any instances of “leaked messages” to compromised devices, such as those affected by malware.
Despite Telegram’s claims, the ban highlights the ongoing concerns about the security of popular messaging apps and their potential vulnerabilities to exploitation by hostile actors.
As the war in Ukraine continues, the Ukrainian government is taking proactive measures to protect its national security and prevent the misuse of technology by its adversaries.
