Russians fear loss of 'main info source' after Telegram chief arrested

France's arrest of Telegram chief Pavel Durov has raised fears in Russia that the popular messaging app - used both by the Kremlin and its opponents could be blocked, depriving them of one of the last sources of critical, uncensored news.

Since the start of its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has cracked down on dissent and protest, leaving Russians without independent news outlets or access to Western social media such as Facebook, Instagram and X.

In that climate, Telegram which was itself blocked for a period of time by the Kremlin for refusing to cooperate with Russian law enforcement agencies - has become one of the last bastions of free speech and uncensored information.

Moscow now fears for the fate of the messaging app and its Russia-born founder Durov, who was charged in late August with failing to curb extremist and illegal content on the platform.

Though he has been released on bail, he cannot leave the country and the Kremlin has warned France against turning the case against him "into political persecution".

Durov's arrest is not the only headache that the privately owned service faces.

The European Commission is also investigating whether Telegram has more European Union users than claimed and must therefore comply with more stringent rules.

In Russia, Telegram channels widely cover subjects that are otherwise strictly censored in state media.

That includes everything from front-line reports of the conflict in Ukraine, to trials of Kremlin critics and manifestos dispatched from political prisoners.

The most popular channels have millions of subscribers.