Telegram's Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs

## Summary
Advertisement Business Telegram's Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed Telegram logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration 04 Apr 2026 02:07PM (Updated: 04 Apr 2026 02:31PM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST MOSCOW, April 4 : 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.

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Telegram's Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs
A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed Telegram logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration
04 Apr 2026 02:07PM
(Updated: 04 Apr 2026 02:31PM)
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MOSCOW, April 4 : 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."
Source: Reuters
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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Advertisement Business Telegram's Durov says Russia triggered payment system problem by blocking VPNs A keyboard is placed in front of a displayed Telegram logo in this illustration taken February 21, 2023.
- Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST MOSCOW, April 4 : 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.

### Implications
N/A

### Expert Commentary
This article covers fast, telegram, news topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 339.