Ukraine has implemented a ban prohibiting government officials, military members, and individuals working in defense and critical infrastructure sectors from using the Telegram messaging app on state-provided devices, citing national security concerns amidst the conflict with Russia. The ban was put into effect by Ukraine’s National Cybersecurity Coordination Center and applies to devices issued to government workers, military personnel, security and defense staff, and critical infrastructure employees. The announcement was made via a statement on Facebook by Ukraine’s Security and Defense Council.

The Security Service of Ukraine and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine highlighted during a recent meeting that Russia utilizes Telegram for cyberattacks, phishing, malware distribution, determining user locations, and targeting missile strikes. Despite the ban, individuals who require the app for official responsibilities will be exempted. Ukrainian citizens remain unrestricted in using Telegram on their personal devices.

Telegram is widely utilized in Ukraine not only for messaging but also for accessing news, particularly updates concerning Russian airstrikes. It serves as a primary platform for Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to communicate with the public and share updates on the war. Zelenskyy is expected to continue utilizing Telegram for official communications.

According to Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Russian intelligence services possess the capability to intercept personal messages of Telegram users, including deleted messages, and access their personal information. Budanov emphasized that while he supports freedom of speech, the Telegram ban is primarily a national security concern.