Is it illegal to pay for Telegram Premium in Russia now that Pavel Durov is on the terrorism list? Not yet.

According to Meduza, Pavel Durov, Telegram's founder, was added to Russia's list of terrorists and extremists. This raises an immediate question: is it now illegal for Russians to use Telegram? The answer hinges on a crucial legal distinction. Durov was designated as a person, not Telegram as an organization. Using Telegram Premium remains legal because subscription payments go to the company's accounts rather than to Durov himself — a distinction that prevents Russian law from treating such payments as financing terrorism. The situation could shift if Russia designates Telegram as an extremist organization and bans it entirely, as it has Meta, but Telegram does not currently appear on those lists. However, direct payments to Durov or Telegram Stars sent to his channel could result in serious criminal charges, with sentences potentially up to fifteen years in prison.

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