Telegram’s Durov Says Russia Triggered Payment System Problem by Blocking VPNs

MOSCOW, April 4 (Reuters) – ⁠Telegram ⁠founder Pavel ⁠Durov said on Saturday ​Russia’s attempt to block ‌Virtual Private Networks ‌triggered a ⁠problem ⁠with a domestic payment system, adding that ​tens of millions of Russians were now resisting ​the digital controls.

The issue sowed ⁠chaos ⁠on Friday ⁠for some ​shoppers, forcing the Moscow metro ​to allow ⁠entry without payment through its turnstiles, while a regional zoo ⁠had to ask visitors to use cash.

“Their ⁠blocking attempts just triggered a massive banking failure,” Durov said on Telegram. “Welcome back to the Digital Resistance, my Russian brothers and sisters. ⁠The entire nation is now mobilised to bypass these absurd restrictions.”

(Reporting by ​Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by ​Clarence Fernandez)

Copyright 2026 Thomson Reuters.

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