Russia thwarts protests over the blocking of messaging app, but frustration persists

In one Russian city, officials blocked a rally due to a “tree inspection.”

- DASHA LITVINOVA

WOMEN look at their smartphones while riding a bus in Moscow, on March 11, 2026.

Elsewhere, they blamed snow removal problems or still-existing Covid-19 restrictions. And in one location, administrators argued that the reason for the protest didn't exist.Authorities in nearly a dozen Russian regions in recent weeks cited various excuses to prevent demonstrations against internet censorship and the blocking of the popular messaging app Telegram.

In most cases, they succeeded. Mindful of a crackdown on dissent since the 4-year-old invasion of Ukraine, activists decided not to risk holding unauthorized rallies, even if they weren't about the war. Some went to court to challenge government refusals to authorize pickets, while others scaled them back to smaller indoor gatherings.

But the disapproval persists across the political spectrum over moves against Russia's second-most popular messaging app, adding to frustrations over a growing list of various issues that plague the country.

"Clearly the situation has changed, the laws have become stricter, but the protest hasn't gone anywhere," said Alexander Sustov, a legislator in Russia’s far eastern Primorye region where a pro-Telegram rally was blocked last month.

"Discontent remains. And any ban only fuels that discontent," he said.

Online control

RESTRICTING Telegram is Russia's latest move to put the internet under government control. Thousands of websites and platforms are blocked, as are multiple virtual private networks that allow users to circumvent censorship. Widespread cellphone internet shutdowns leave only a handful of government-approved websites available.