Officials in a Russian city recently cited a “tree inspection” to block a protest rally. Elsewhere, snow clearance issues or lingering COVID-19 restrictions were used as reasons, while some authorities argued that the protest’s basis was nonexistent.
In numerous Russian regions, authorities have found various justifications to prevent protests against internet censorship and the blocking of the widely-used messaging app Telegram.
Most protests were successfully stifled. With strict crackdowns on dissent since the 2014 invasion of Ukraine, activists often opted against unauthorized rallies. Instead, some challenged the bans in court, while others reduced their scale to indoor meetings.
Despite these efforts, discontent continues across political lines, particularly over the actions against Russia’s second-most popular messaging app, amidst broader national grievances.
“Clearly the situation has changed, the laws have become stricter, but the protest hasn’t gone anywhere,” remarked Alexander Sustov, a legislator from Russia’s Primorye region, where a rally supporting Telegram was previously blocked.
“Discontent remains. And any ban only fuels that discontent,” he added.
Online Control
The restriction on Telegram marks another step in Russia’s efforts to bring the internet under government control. Thousands of websites and platforms are restricted, including VPNs that facilitate bypassing censorship. Regular internet shutdowns restrict access to only government-approved websites.
Telegram is second only to the heavily restricted WhatsApp in popularity, and serves as a social media tool for government agencies, pro-Kremlin commentators, and military bloggers.
Authorities advocate for the adoption of MAX, a government-supported messaging service, which critics argue serves as a surveillance tool.
Military bloggers criticize the restrictions on Telegram, noting its critical role in communication for Russian troops in Ukraine and activists supporting Moscow’s forces.
While initially exempting Telegram from battlefield restrictions, the Kremlin later shifted its stance. During a meeting with President Putin on International Women’s Day, a servicewoman labeled Telegram as an “adversarial communications tool,” concurring with Putin on the dangers of using non-government-controlled communication systems in combat.
Unconfirmed reports suggest a potential complete block of Telegram, which had 93.6 million users in Russia in December 2025, according to Mediascope.
Protests Stifled from Moscow to Siberia
Efforts to block Telegram sparked reactions from diverse political groups, including those aligned with the Kremlin.
The complexity of the issue has led many to believe “people feel like they can afford to protest here,” as stated by analyst Abbas Gallyamov.
Last month, the ultranationalist group Other Russia, blocked the Moscow office of Roskomnadzor, the state media and internet regulator, with a banner demanding an “internet without supervision.”
In December, they displayed another banner at the agency’s St. Petersburg office, tauntingly requesting, “Roskomnadzor, ban this banner.”
Participants faced arrest, with those in Moscow facing criminal charges.
The Communist Party, generally supportive of the Kremlin, attempted to organize rallies, with varying success. In the Altai region, claims of internet restriction were dismissed as “at odds with reality.” In Krasnodar, a rally was authorized on the city’s outskirts.
Activists in Naryan-Mar and Syktyvkar managed to hold pickets, carrying signs declaring, “It is not up to officials to decide what we read,” and “The internet is not a prison.”
Elsewhere, authorities blocked or refused rally permits at the last minute.
In Perm, a planned March 15 demonstration was halted by a “potential emergency situation” at the venue, but several protesters still assembled. Among them, 80-year-old Viktor Gilin was detained and fined for displaying a banner demanding “freedom of thought and speech.”
In Novosibirsk, 16 participants were detained at a planned pro-Telegram rally. The site was blocked with “tree inspection” tape, according to activist Roman Malozyomov. After a brief detention, Malozyomov proceeded to stage a one-man protest at Lenin Square.
This week, new applications for rallies on March 29 have been submitted, some already facing rejection.
Protesting Other Issues — Cautiously
Since the suppression of anti-war protests in 2022, demonstrations have been infrequent. Political prosecutions have risen, and dissent is increasingly restricted.
Nevertheless, smaller unauthorized protests persist. In 2024, soldiers’ wives picketed at the Kremlin and Defense Ministry, while over 1,000 protested in Bashkortostan against an activist’s jailing, leading to mass arrests.
Siberian farmers protested against cattle culling, and workers in Komi rallied for overdue wages. In Vladivostok, hundreds protested increased car registration fees.
Tomsk activist Anton Isakov organized demonstrations against the blocking of Roblox and animal cruelty. He noted the readiness for protests on various issues, though his attempts for a pro-Telegram rally have failed.
Malozyomov, from Novosibirsk, observed that small sanctioned rallies on topics like utility costs are sometimes permitted to allow public venting and prevent tension build-up.
Some seek alternatives to protests.
Konstantin Larionov, from Kaluga, and 41 others filed a lawsuit against Roskomnadzor, arguing that restrictions on Telegram and WhatsApp violate free speech and privacy rights. Encouraging others to join, the number of plaintiffs grew to 105. Although the court sided with the authorities, Larionov plans to appeal up to the Supreme Court.
While acknowledging the shrinking protest space, Larionov emphasized the importance of continuing efforts.
“We are, maybe, retreating a little bit, but we’re not giving up,” he stated.
Analyst Gallyamov suggests the Telegram protests signal widespread discontent rather than a direct challenge to the regime.
Yet, he notes, “it is another crack in the foundation” of Putin’s governance.
