A Russian Telegram channel with over 700,000 followers is spreading disinformation about Russia's invasion of Ukraine under the guise of providing "objective information" and fact-checking fake news. Its influence extends beyond the platform, with major Russian publications, government officials, and journalists citing the page's posts. Although some channels have been removed, the curation process is considered opaque and insufficient by analysts. On Telegram’s website, it says that Pavel Durov “supports Telegram financially and ideologically while Nikolai (Duvov)’s input is technological.” Currently, the Telegram team is based in Dubai, having moved around from Berlin, London and Singapore after departing Russia. Meanwhile, the company which owns Telegram is registered in the British Virgin Islands. Despite Telegram's origins, its approach to users' security has privacy advocates worried. "Your messages about the movement of the enemy through the official chatbot … bring new trophies every day," the government agency tweeted.
from tr