Telegram, founded by Russian billionaire Pavel Durov, has faced significant operational disruptions in Russia over the past two days, with reports of user complaints skyrocketing to around 15,000. Users are primarily experiencing issues with loading multimedia files, indicating that the service has been slowed down across the nation due to a government decree.

According to reports from several agencies, Roskomnadzor, the Russian government’s telecommunications oversight agency, officially began the crackdown on Telegram on February 10, following claims that the platform 'supports scammers and terrorists.' These actions have resulted in widespread connectivity issues reported from various regions, including Moscow, Siberia, and the Far East, affecting areas like the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Magadan, Sakhalin, Novosibirsk, and more.

The implications of this government's action could be considerable, marking a further tightening of internet freedom in Russia. As Telegram becomes increasingly difficult to use, both for ordinary communication and for crucial information dissemination, this move may threaten the platform's viability in the country, prompting users to seek alternatives or face restrictions on their communication capabilities.